noun Uncommon

hardwood

HAHRD-wuud

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Hardwood (noun) means Wood from broad-leaved trees such as oak or maple, often prized for furniture and flooring. Example: “They installed hardwood floors throughout the house.”

noun

Wood from broad-leaved trees such as oak or maple, often prized for furniture and flooring.

"They installed hardwood floors throughout the house."

"Oak and walnut are popular hardwoods for furniture making."

How to use hardwood

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTimber from broad-leaved (usually deciduous) trees, commonly used for flooring and furniture.

Common mistake

The name is about the tree type, not necessarily the wood's toughness — balsa wood is technically a hardwood despite being very soft.

Easily confused with

softwood

Common pairings

hardwood floor hardwood furniture solid hardwood

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: hardwoods

Test yourself on “hardwood” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

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They installed _____ floors throughout the house.

Etymology

From hard + wood. Despite the name, it refers to the type of tree rather than how physically hard the wood actually is — some hardwoods are softer than some softwoods.

Rhymes for hardwood

food good wood mood hood snood blood flood brood Atwood Osgood Elwood

See all rhymes for hardwood →

Frequently asked questions

What does “hardwood” mean?

The word “hardwood” means wood from broad-leaved trees such as oak or maple, often prized for furniture and flooring. In plain terms, timber from broad-leaved (usually deciduous) trees, commonly used for flooring and furniture.

How do you pronounce “hardwood”?

“Hardwood” is pronounced HAHRD-wuud (/ˈhɑɹdˌwʊd/ in IPA).

How do you use “hardwood” in a sentence?

Here is “hardwood” used in a sentence: “They installed hardwood floors throughout the house.”

What part of speech is “hardwood”?

“Hardwood” is a noun.

Is “hardwood” a common word?

“Hardwood” is an uncommon word in modern English.