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 grows as small trees or shrubs with clusters of rich orange-red to yellow flowers. — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 31 Mar. 2026

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

Adjective

The machine's beady, glowing, hazel eyes could be perceived as off-putting. — Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 17 June 2026

Something inscrutable flashes behind those keen hazel eyes. — Shyla Watson, PEOPLE, 5 June 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