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

The Roman soldiers guarding the fortlet enjoyed views of open pastures and cleared woodland consisting mainly of alder, hazel, and willow, with smaller amounts of oak and birch. —Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 15 Mar. 2026

Her sky-blue eyes, flecked with silver and hazel, narrow slightly, then relax. —Gerald Witt, AJC.com, 1 Mar. 2026

Adjective

At sixty-five, Petzold, with light-hazel eyes and dark hair only just beginning to silver, still wields a boyish charisma. —Holden Seidlitz, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026

Whisennand is 5 feet, 10 inches tall, weighs 175 pounds and has brown hair and hazel eyes, according to the Sheriff's Station. —Julie Mendes, AZCentral.com, 2 Mar. 2026

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

Rhymes for hazel

• nasal
• phrasal
• appraisal
• intranasal
• reappraisal

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