What does eyeliner mean?
Eyeliner is a cosmetic product applied along the edges of the eyelids to define, shape, and accentuate the eyes. It comes in several forms — pencils, liquids, gels, and powders — each offering different levels of precision and intensity. The word functions as a noun and is typically uncountable when describing the substance in general, though speakers may refer to individual products as eyeliners. Eyeliner carries no strong connotations of formality; it appears comfortably in everyday conversation, advertising, and beauty journalism alike. Common pairings include phrases like liquid eyeliner, waterproof eyeliner, and winged eyeliner, the last referring to a popular style that extends the line outward at the outer corner of the eye. Though the modern product dates only from the twentieth century, the practice of lining the eyes is ancient — Egyptians used kohl for both cosmetic and possibly protective purposes thousands of years ago. Today, eyeliner remains one of the most widely used cosmetics worldwide.
nounA cosmetic product, typically a pencil or liquid, applied in a line along the edge of the eyelids to accentuate and define the eyes.
- A cosmetic substance (pencil, liquid, or gel) used to draw a defining line along the edges of the eyelids.
"She carefully applied eyeliner before the interview to make her eyes stand out."
"Her smudged eyeliner gave her a effortlessly rock-and-roll look."
"He bought a waterproof eyeliner that wouldn't run during his swim."
The plural is used when referring to multiple individual eyeliner products rather than the cosmetic substance in general.
"Her makeup bag was full of eyeliners in every shade of brown and black."
Ancient Egyptians were lining their eyes with kohl over 4,000 years before the modern pencil was invented — Cleopatra was doing winged eyeliner millennia before it trended.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of eyeliner
Eyeliner is a compound of 'eye', from Old English 'ēage', and 'liner', derived from 'line', which traces back through Old French 'ligne' to Latin 'linea', meaning a linen thread or string. The compound emerged in the early twentieth century alongside the commercial cosmetics industry, as manufacturers began marketing purpose-made products for drawing around the eyes. Its Latin root also gives us related words such as 'linear' and 'linen'.
How eyeliner is actually used
Eyeliner is an uncountable noun when referring to the substance generally ('she wore eyeliner'), though 'an eyeliner' or plural 'eyeliners' are common when referring to individual products. It is neutral register, used widely in both everyday speech and beauty writing.
Easily confused with eyeliner
Eyeliner is a product drawn along the lash line to define the eye, while eyeshadow is a powder or cream applied to the eyelid itself for color and depth.