wood
wuud
Wood (noun) means the hard fibrous material that makes up the trunk and branches of a tree, used for building, fuel, and countless other purposes. Example: “This table is made of solid wood and feels very heavy.”
noun
1
The hard fibrous material that makes up the trunk and branches of a tree, used for building, fuel, and countless other purposes.
"This table is made of solid wood and feels very heavy."
"The cabin was built entirely from local wood."
"They chopped wood all afternoon to keep the fire going."
2
An area covered with trees; a small forest.
"We walked through the wood and spotted a deer between the trees."
"A small wood lies at the edge of the village."
"The children played hide-and-seek in the wood behind the house."
3
A type of golf club traditionally made with a wooden head.
"For the first tee, she chose a wood instead of an iron."
"My grandfather's favourite wood has a head made of dark polished timber."
"He pulled out his three-wood for the long fairway shot."
How to use wood
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe material trees are made of, or a small area of trees — plus a few narrower uses, like a type of golf club.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
a piece of wood
chop wood
a walk in the woods
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Word forms
- Plural
- woods
- Third person singular
- woods
- Past tense
- wooded
- Comparative
- wooder
- Superlative
- woodest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
This table is made of solid _____ and feels very heavy.
Etymology
From Old English wudu, "wood, forest, timber," from a very old Germanic root related to Dutch wede and Icelandic viður.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for wood
See all rhymes for wood →Frequently asked questions
What does “wood” mean?
The word “wood” means the hard fibrous material that makes up the trunk and branches of a tree, used for building, fuel, and countless other purposes. In plain terms, the material trees are made of, or a small area of trees — plus a few narrower uses, like a type of golf club.
How do you pronounce “wood”?
“Wood” is pronounced wuud (/wʊd/ in IPA).
How do you use “wood” in a sentence?
Here is “wood” used in a sentence: “The cabin was built entirely from local wood.”
What part of speech is “wood”?
“Wood” is a noun.
Where does the word “wood” come from?
The word “wood” comes from Old English. From Old English wudu, "wood, forest, timber," from a very old Germanic root related to Dutch wede and Icelandic viður.
Is “wood” a common word?
“Wood” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “wood” have?
“Wood” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the hard fibrous material that makes up the trunk and branches of a tree, used for building, fuel, and countless other purposes.
What is the difference between wood and timber?
Wood is the general material itself, taken from the trunk and branches of trees. Timber is wood that has been cut and prepared for building, such as planks, beams, and boards ready for use, called lumber in North America. So all timber is wood, but not all wood has been processed into timber.
What are the main types of wood?
Wood is broadly divided into hardwood and softwood. Hardwoods come from broad-leaved trees like oak, walnut, and mahogany, and are usually denser and slower-growing. Softwoods come from conifers such as pine and spruce, and are lighter and faster-growing. The names refer to the tree type, not always the wood's actual hardness.
Is wood a renewable resource?
Yes. Because trees can be replanted and regrown, wood is considered renewable, unlike coal or oil. It only stays sustainable when forests are managed responsibly and trees are replaced as fast as they are felled. Certification schemes exist to show that timber has come from well-managed, renewable sources.
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