What does kohl mean?
Kohl is a dark cosmetic material used to line the eyes, darken the eyelids, or create strongly defined eye makeup. It has traditionally been made by grinding minerals, especially antimony sulfide, into a fine black powder, although contemporary products may use other ingredients and modern formulations. The word is used in British and American English and carries strong associations with traditional beauty practices across North Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. In everyday use, kohl often refers both to the cosmetic powder and to the finished eye makeup, such as a line of black eyeliner. It can also have a more specialized historical meaning referring to a black mineral pigment used in eye cosmetics. Because kohl is normally handled as a material rather than counted as an individual object, it is usually used as a mass noun, although “kohls” can refer to different products or cosmetic styles.
nounKohl is a dark powder or solid cosmetic traditionally used to line the eyes and darken the eyelids, especially in Middle Eastern and South Asian cosmetic traditions. It may be made from minerals such as antimony sulfide or from modern cosmetic ingredients.
- A dark cosmetic powder or solid preparation applied around the eyes, particularly to line the eyelids.
"She applied a thin line of kohl to her upper eyelids before adding mascara."
"The dancer's eyes were outlined with kohl, giving them a striking, dramatic appearance."
"This traditional kohl is made from finely ground mineral pigment and is applied with a small brush."
Kohl is usually used as an uncountable noun. The plural is uncommon but can refer to distinct products or cosmetic styles.
"The shop sells several traditional kohls in black and brown."
Kohl is an ancient cosmetic with roots in the Middle East, where finely ground minerals were used to create dramatic, enduring eye makeup.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does kohl come from?
The English word comes from Arabic kuhl, referring to a dark cosmetic material applied around the eyes. Arabic kuhl is a cognate of Hebrew kōḥal, which likewise denotes eye paint. The term entered English in the early modern period as a name for the traditional cosmetic, and its modern use preserves both the original sense of eye makeup and associations with finely ground black mineral pigments.
How kohl is actually used
Kohl is commonly treated as an uncountable noun in modern English, though plural forms such as "kohls" are possible when referring to separate cosmetic products or styles. It is widely understood in British and American English, with especially strong cultural associations in North African, Middle Eastern, and South Asian traditions.
Easily confused with kohl
Kohl is an eye cosmetic, whereas kohlrabi is a vegetable commonly known as German turnip.