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

Aside from leaving absolutely zero white cast behind, the formula features several skin-loving ingredients (think aloe leaf water, niacinamide, witch hazel, and vitamin E). —Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 23 Apr. 2025

That’s the witch hazel at work—a natural, alcohol-free astringent that helps tone down redness, calm blotchiness, and leave your skin looking more even and refreshed. —Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 15 Apr. 2025

Home remedies include application of antiseptics, witch hazel, and calamine lotion. —Laura Schober, Health, 7 Mar. 2025

SkinMedica also swaps astringent alcohol for witch hazel extract, which has antibacterial and exfoliating benefits for smoother, softer, and bouncier skin. —Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 25 Feb. 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