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

Each SkinMedica Even and Correct Brightening Treatment Pad is drenched in 10% glycolic acid to support skin renewal, witch hazel for a natural, alcohol-free astringent effect, and a 2% LTN complex. —Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 20 Dec. 2024

It’s formulated with witch hazel and rosemary leaf that leaves your skin with a soothing and cooling sensation. —Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 2 Dec. 2024

As for the carrier packages, most ink manufacturers use grain or rubbing alcohol, sometimes with a bit of witch hazel added to the mix to help the skin heal after the tattooing process. —Ars Technica, 28 Feb. 2024

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

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