hazel

1 of 2

noun

ha·​zel ˈhā-zəl 

1

: any of a genus (Corylus and especially the American C. americana and the European C. avellana) of shrubs or small trees of the birch family bearing nuts enclosed in a leafy involucre

2

: a light brown to strong yellowish brown

hazel

2 of 2

adjective

1

: consisting of hazels or of the wood of the hazel

2

a

: of the color hazel

b

of eyes : of a variable color averaging light greenish-grayish brown

Examples of hazel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Witch hazel provides gentle astringent properties to help control excess oil and tighten pores without over-drying the skin. —Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 19 Jan. 2025

The face that looked back at her in the rearview mirror was gaunt, her skin pale around glassy hazel eyes. —Glenn E. Rice, Kansas City Star, 7 Jan. 2025

Adjective

With dark blond hair and hazel eyes, Denise had a youthful beauty and hid her tough circumstances under a devil-may-care attitude. —Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024

Amazon has obsidian and porcelain at $799, but the hazel color finish is $50 more, $849, which is the same price that Google is selling it. —David Phelan, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English hasel, from Old English hæsel; akin to Old High German hasal hazel, Latin corulus

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing hazel

• hazel dormouse
• hazel hen
• hazel mouse
• witch hazel

Kids Definition

hazel

noun

ha·​zel

ˈhā-zəl

1

: any of a genus of shrubs or small trees related to birches and bearing edible nuts enclosed in a leafy case

2

: a light brown to a strong yellowish brown

hazel adjective