hazel

¹

[ hey-zuhl ]

noun

1. any shrub or small tree belonging to the genus Corylus, of the birch family, having toothed, ovate leaves and bearing edible nuts, as C. avellana, of Europe, or C. americana and C. cornuta, of the Western Hemisphere.
2. any of several other shrubs or trees, as an Australian shrub, Pomaderris apetala.
3. the wood of any of these trees.
4. the hazelnut or filbert.
5. light golden brown, as the color of a hazelnut.

adjective

1. of or relating to the hazel.
2. made of the wood of the hazel.
3. having a light golden-brown color.

Hazel

²

[ hey-zuhl ]

noun

1. a female given name.

hazel

/ ˈheɪzəl /

noun

1. Also calledcob any of several shrubs of the N temperate genus Corylus, esp C. avellana, having oval serrated leaves and edible rounded brown nuts: family Corylaceae
2. the wood of any of these trees
3. short for hazelnut
4. 1. a light yellowish-brown colour
   2. ( as adjective )

      hazel eyes

Other Words From

• hazel·ly adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hazel¹

before 900; Middle English hasel; Old English hæs ( e ) l; cognate with German Hasel, Old Norse hasl, Latin corylus hazel shrub

Word History and Origins

Origin of hazel¹

Old English hæsel; related to Old Norse hasl, Old High German hasala, Latin corylus, Old Irish coll

Example Sentences

Hazel Cheeseman, chief executive of Action on Smoking and Health, said access to services was variable.

From BBC

Hazel Chandler, a 77-year-old Arizona field organizer for the climate advocacy group Moms Clean Air Force, lives in Phoenix with stage-four cancer and has many other health issues that make her especially sensitive to heat.

From Salon

In “Trick or Treat,” from 1952, Donald pranks his nephews with firecrackers in their candy bags and dumps water on their heads; friendly Witch Hazel, passing by, helps them get revenge.

From Los Angeles Times

Sports broadcaster Hazel Irvine will be presented with a Bafta Scotland lifetime achievement award next month.

From BBC

Hazel Kelly, 80, who became visually impaired 13 years ago, says she had two operations cancelled at the hospital due to a leaking roof.

From BBC