Dictionary

1hazel

noun ha·zel \ˈhā-zəl\

: a kind of bush or small tree that produces nuts

: a color that combines light brown with green and gray

Full Definition of HAZEL

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
ADVERTISEMENT

Origin of HAZEL

Middle English hasel, from Old English hæsel; akin to Old High German hasal hazel, Latin corulus
First Known Use: before 12th century

Other Seed Plant Terms

aubergine, box, bramble, briar, composite, perpetual, pulse, trefoil

Rhymes with HAZEL

2hazel

adjective

Definition of HAZEL

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

First Known Use of HAZEL

14th century

Other Color Terms

argentine, cerise, cerulean, cyan, ocher, perse, puce, taupe, vermilion
HAZEL Defined for Kids

hazel

noun ha·zel \ˈhā-zəl\

Definition of HAZEL for Kids

1
:  a shrub or small tree that bears an edible nut
2
:  a color that combines light brown with green and gray <hazel eyes>
ADVERTISEMENT
How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.
Test your vocab with our fun, fast game
Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears