kohl
|kohl|
🇺🇸
/koʊl/
🇬🇧
/kəʊl/
dark eye makeup
Etymology
'kohl' originates from Arabic, specifically the word 'kuḥl', where 'kuḥl' referred to antimony powder used as an eye cosmetic.
'kohl' entered European languages from Arabic 'kuḥl' (via Medieval contact and borrowing) into Late Middle English / Middle French forms and eventually became the modern English word 'kohl'.
Initially, it meant 'antimony powder used as an eye cosmetic', and over time it retained this specialized meaning as 'dark eye makeup'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a dark powder or paste, traditionally made from antimony sulfide, used as eye makeup (applied around the eyelids or inner eye) in many cultures.
She lined her eyes with kohl before the performance.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/07 04:33