hazel

ha-zel · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A deciduous shrub or small tree of the birch family, bearing round nuts that are edible.

  2. 2.

    The edible nut of the hazel tree; a hazelnut.

  3. 3.

    (adjective) A light brown color with golden or greenish tones, often used to describe eye color.

  4. 4.

    A given name of English origin, typically feminine.

Forms

plural: hazels

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    hazel eyes — eyes that are a mixture of brown and green
  • •
    hazel wand — a traditional divining rod made from hazel wood

Related words

See also: brown, filbert, hazelnut, tree
Synonyms: cobnut, filbert

Etymology

From Old English haesel, from Proto-Germanic haslaz, referring to the hazel tree. The color sense developed from the brownish color of hazelnuts.