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
Esthetician and skincare-expert Renée Rouleau even suggests adding witch hazel to the ice water to further the benefits.
—
Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 24 May 2025
The exfoliating solution also features pore-clearing salicylic acid and soothing witch hazel, all infused in a very scrubby, textured pad.
—Emily Orofino, Vogue, 12 Mar. 2025
Use calamine lotion or witch hazel to soothe skin and relieve itching.
—Laura Schober, Health, 7 Mar. 2025
Salicylic acid takes on blemishes and blackheads, while tea tree oil and witch hazel deliver antibacterial benefits.
—Deanna Pai, Allure, 13 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for witch hazel
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Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 24 May 2025
The exfoliating solution also features pore-clearing salicylic acid and soothing witch hazel, all infused in a very scrubby, textured pad.
—Emily Orofino, Vogue, 12 Mar. 2025
Use calamine lotion or witch hazel to soothe skin and relieve itching.
—Laura Schober, Health, 7 Mar. 2025
Salicylic acid takes on blemishes and blackheads, while tea tree oil and witch hazel deliver antibacterial benefits.
—Deanna Pai, Allure, 13 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for witch hazel
Cite this Entry
“Witch hazel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/witch%20hazel. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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