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Woodenly: meaning, definitions and examples

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woodenly

 

[ ˈwʊdənli ]

Adverb
Context #1 | Adverb

manner of speaking

Woodenly refers to the manner of speaking or behaving in a stiff, inflexible, or emotionless way. It is often used to describe a lack of enthusiasm or warmth in one's actions or responses.

Synonyms

awkwardly, mechanically, stiffly

Examples of usage

  • He responded woodenly to the question.
  • The actor delivered his lines woodenly.
  • She walked through the room woodenly after the bad news.

Translations

Translations of the word "woodenly" in other languages:

🇵🇹 de maneira rígida

🇮🇳 लकड़ी के तरीके से

🇩🇪 steif

🇮🇩 dengan kaku

🇺🇦 дерев'яно

🇵🇱 drewniano

🇯🇵 木製で

🇫🇷 de manière rigide

🇪🇸 de manera rígida

🇹🇷 ahşap bir şekilde

🇰🇷 목재처럼

🇸🇦 بشكل خشبي

🇨🇿 dřevěně

🇸🇰 dreveno

🇨🇳 木质地

🇸🇮 leseno

🇮🇸 viðwood

🇰🇿 ағаш тәрізді

🇬🇪 ხისებრ

🇦🇿 taxta kimi

🇲🇽 de manera rígida

Etymology

The adverb 'woodenly' is derived from the adjective 'wooden,' which originates from the Old English word 'wōden,' meaning 'made of wood.' The term has been in use in English since the early 19th century to denote something that is lacking in life, warmth, or flexibility, much like wood itself. It encapsulates the idea of being stiff or rigid, similar to how wooden objects do not exhibit emotional expression or adaptability. The usage of 'wooden' as a descriptor for people or their mannerisms came about as a metaphorical extension, emphasizing the absence of fluidity or expressiveness in behavior or speech.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #37,960, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.