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

Growing to about 10 feet tall, the corkscrew hazel looks stately on its own or when planted with lower growing shrubs and perennials. —Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 9 Apr. 2026

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

Adjective

She is described as a White woman with blonde hair and hazel eyes, who is 5 feet, 4 inches tall and weighs 120 lbs. —Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 9 Apr. 2026

Hillyard is described as 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighing about 120 pounds, with blonde hair and hazel eyes. —Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 30 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