kohl

This word usually refers to a dark powder or pencil used around the eyes. It has been used for centuries in places such as ancient Egypt, the Middle East, and South Asia. People used it for beauty, but many also believed it could protect the eyes from bright sun and dust. In modern English, it often means a very dark eyeliner that gives a bold, smoky look.

The same spelling also appears in "kohlrabi," where it comes from German and is linked to cabbage. That is not the main meaning of the word by itself, but you may notice it in plant names.

Kohl mainly refers to a dark gray or black substance used as eye makeup. For thousands of years, people in ancient Egypt, the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia used it to line and darken the eyes. It was valued not only for beauty but also for traditional beliefs about eye comfort and protection from strong sunlight or dust. Depending on the place and time, it could be made from minerals, soot, or other dark materials.

In modern English, the word often refers to a very dark eyeliner inspired by that older tradition. It suggests a rich black line, often softer or smokier than a standard pencil liner. You may see it in beauty writing, on makeup labels, or in descriptions of dramatic eye looks.

There is also a separate language connection in words such as "kohlrabi." In that case, "kohl" comes from German and means cabbage. That plant-related use is mostly part of compound words, not the usual meaning of the word on its own in English.

So in most everyday contexts, this word points to eye makeup with a long cultural history. In a few special cases, it also appears inside plant names because of a different origin.