Wooden Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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wooden

[ˈwʊdən ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

furniture making

Made of wood; consisting of wood; resembling wood; woody.

Synonyms

timber, wood-made, woody.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
wooden

Use when describing objects made of wood, often in general or everyday contexts. Can also describe someone or something that is stiff or lacking flexibility.

  • She sat on a wooden chair
  • His performance was quite wooden
timber

Utilized mainly in construction or carpentry contexts, referring to processed wood that is ready to be used for building. Also used to denote trees that are grown for wood.

  • The house was built using high-quality timber
  • The forest is a valuable source of timber
wood-made

Typically used to emphasize that something is crafted from wood, often in marketing or descriptive writing to highlight the material quality.

  • This beautiful wood-made table will last for years
  • She admired the wood-made sculpture
woody

Generally used to describe something that resembles or has the characteristics of wood, such as a taste, texture, or smell, often in botanical or culinary contexts.

  • The wine had a woody flavor
  • The plant's stems were thick and woody

Examples of usage

  • The table was made of a beautiful wooden oak.
  • She admired the wooden carvings on the chair.
Context #2 | Adjective

material description

Lacking life, vigor, or spirit; mechanical.

Synonyms

lifeless, rigid, stiff.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
wooden

When referring to an object made of wood or a person lacking emotion or flexibility in their actions or expressions.

  • The table is made of solid wooden oak.
  • His performance was wooden and uninspired.
stiff

Appropriate for describing something that is hard to bend or move, can be used for physical objects, movements, or social interactions.

  • The new shoes were stiff and uncomfortable.
  • He gave her a stiff smile, clearly not pleased.
rigid

Useful when describing something that is inflexible or does not change easily; can refer to physical objects or attitudes.

  • The rigid framework of the structure ensured stability.
  • Her rigid adherence to the rules made her unpopular.
lifeless

Best for describing something without life, energy, or spirit, often implying a lack of movement or emotion.

  • The landscape was barren and lifeless.
  • Her eyes looked lifeless after the tragic news.

Examples of usage

  • His delivery was wooden and uninspiring.
  • The actor's performance felt wooden and lacking emotion.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'wooden'

The word 'wooden' originates from the Middle English word 'wode', which comes from the Old English word 'wudu'. Wood has been an essential material for construction, tools, and art throughout human history. The use of wooden objects dates back to ancient civilizations, where wood was abundant and versatile. Wooden structures have been a fundamental part of architecture, from the earliest shelters to modern buildings.


See also: blackwood, underwood, wood, woodcraft, woodcut, woodcutter, woodcutting, woodland, woods, woodshop, woodsman, woodwork, woodworker, woodworking, woodworm, woody.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,363, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.