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

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

Witch hazel Witch hazels are large, deciduous shrubs known for their spidery winter flowers and medicinal extracts that can soothe irritated skin and treat insect bites and minor burns. —Asia London Palomba, The Spruce, 22 Jan. 2026

Adjective

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

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