Board vs Wood

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

	Board	Wood
Meaning	A flat piece of wood or other material.	The material that comes from trees, used for making furniture and buildings.
CEFR level	A2	A2
Part of speech	noun	noun
Usage notes	Use 'board' when referring to a physical piece, like a board in a game or a wooden board. Avoid using 'board' for informal context, like when referring to groups (e.g., 'the board of directors').	Used in everyday conversation, can refer to both the material and forested areas. Not suitable in formal scientific writing without clarification.

Frequently asked questions: Board vs Wood

What's the difference between "Board" and "Wood"?

"Board" means: A flat piece of wood or other material. "Wood" means: The material that comes from trees, used for making furniture and buildings.

When should I use "Board" and "Wood"?

They can all be used in everyday English.

Are "Board" and "Wood" the same CEFR level?

"Board" is at A2, "Wood" is at A2 on the CEFR scale.