hazel

1 of 2

noun

ha·​zel ˈhā-zəl How to pronounce hazel (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
All four colors are available at this price: porcelain, rose quartz, hazel and obsidian. — David Phelan, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025 For comparison, Google’s Black Friday price is $849 across three colors: porcelain, hazel and obsidian. — David Phelan, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024
Adjective
The word has also been used historically to describe the color of hazel nuts—usually a light brown or greenish-brown—especially when referring to eyes. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025 Naturally, the clips brought tears to the host’s famously hazel eyes. — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hazel

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of hazel was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing hazel

Rhymes for hazel

See All Rhymes for hazel

Browse Nearby Words

haze gray
hazel
hazel alder
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Cite this Entry

“Hazel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hazel. Accessed 12 Apr. 2025.

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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

More from Merriam-Webster on hazel

Nglish: Translation of hazel for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hazel

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