noun

Kohl

kohl

Kohl (noun) means a dark powder, traditionally made from ground stibnite, used to line the eyes as makeup, especially across the Middle East and South Asia. Example: “She lined her eyes with kohl before the wedding.”

noun

A dark powder, traditionally made from ground stibnite, used to line the eyes as makeup, especially across the Middle East and South Asia.

"She lined her eyes with kohl before the wedding."

"Kohl has been used as eye makeup for thousands of years."

verb

To apply kohl to one's eyes.

"She kohled her eyes heavily for the performance."

"The dancer's eyes were dramatically kohled."

How to use Kohl

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA traditional dark eye-makeup powder, and the act of applying it.

Common pairings

kohl-lined eyes a stick of kohl

Word forms

kohled past tense, Kohls plural, kohls singular

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She lined her eyes with _____ before the wedding.

Etymology

From the German surname, from Kohl (“cabbage”). Compare Koehl, Cole, Coll, Kail, Kale.

Rhymes for Kohl

Grohl

See all rhymes for Kohl →

Frequently asked questions

What does “Kohl” mean?

The word “Kohl” means a dark powder, traditionally made from ground stibnite, used to line the eyes as makeup, especially across the Middle East and South Asia. In plain terms, a traditional dark eye-makeup powder, and the act of applying it.

How do you pronounce “Kohl”?

“Kohl” is pronounced kohl (/koʊl/ in IPA).

How do you use “Kohl” in a sentence?

Here is “Kohl” used in a sentence: “She lined her eyes with kohl before the wedding.”

What part of speech is “Kohl”?

Depending on how it is used, “Kohl” can be a noun and a verb.

How many meanings does “Kohl” have?

“Kohl” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a dark powder, traditionally made from ground stibnite, used to line the eyes as makeup, especially across the Middle East and South Asia.