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

Topical Anti-Itch Treatments Over-the-counter ointments and creams contain hydrocortisone, witch hazel, or a numbing medicine. —Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 5 Sep. 2025

This blemish-banishing formula includes witch hazel, algae extract, and grape seed extract, plus vitamin E to keep pores looking tight, rein in excess sebum, and shield skin from free radicals. —Esme Benjamin, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025

The leaves of native witch hazel turn bright yellow in the fall. —Steve Bender, Southern Living, 27 Aug. 2025

That’s not the case with this alcohol-free hydrating toner by Thayers, which instead uses witch hazel (a natural astringent) to regulate oil levels, as well as rosewater and aloe vera to restore hydration. —Deanna Pai, Vogue, 24 Aug. 2025

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

Rhymes for witch hazel

• appraisal
• intranasal
• reappraisal
• nasal
• phrasal

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