witch hazel

noun

witch ha·​zel ˈwich-ˌhā-zəl 

1

: any of a genus (Hamamelis of the family Hamamelidaceae, the witch-hazel family) of shrubs or small trees with slender-petaled usually yellow flowers borne in late fall or early spring

especially : one (H. virginiana) of eastern North America that blooms in the fall

2

: an alcoholic solution of a distillate of the bark of a witch hazel (H. virginiana) used as a soothing and mildly astringent lotion

Examples of witch hazel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This lightweight, multi-tasking formula is designed to brighten and even out skin tone, thanks to the inclusion of witch hazel to minimize the appearance of pores and licorice extract to promote a more uniform look. —Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 26 Nov. 2024

Those looking for more intense itch relief can try Sarna’s Calm + Cool Anti-Itch Lotion, which includes witch hazel and cooling menthol. —Kelsey Eisen, Allure, 28 Oct. 2024

Brightening, sebum-balancing polymers ensure your makeup doesn't melt off throughout the day, while the astringent properties of green tea and witch hazel help reduce oil. —Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 3 Oct. 2024

And the materials they are built from – cedar, grass, rice straw and Japanese witch hazel – are cut within walking distance. —The Week Uk, theweek, 6 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

witch, a tree with pliant branches, from Middle English wyche, from Old English wice; probably akin to Old English wīcan to yield — more at weak

First Known Use

1737, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

witch hazel

noun

witch ha·​zel ˈwich-ˌhā-zəl 

1

: any of a genus of shrubs or small trees that produce usually yellow flowers with very thin petals in late fall or early spring

especially : one of eastern North America that blooms in the fall

2

: a soothing alcoholic lotion made from the bark of the witch hazel

Etymology

from witch, an old name for any of several trees with branches that bend easily, from Old English wice (same meaning)

Medical Definition

witch hazel

noun

witch ha·​zel ˈwich-ˌhā-zəl 

1

: any small tree or shrub of the genus Hamamelis

especially : one (Hamamelis virginiana) of eastern North America that blooms in the fall

2

: an alcoholic solution of a distillate of the bark of a witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) used as a soothing and mildly astringent lotion