A2adjective5K

Wooden

UK /["/ˈwʊdn/"]/US /["/ˈwʊdn/"]/

Definition

made of wood

In simple words: Made of wood.

Examples

a **wooden box/door/floor**
This is a large double bedroom with polished wooden floorboards.
Behind the house was a small wooden hut.
The actor playing the father was too wooden.
Her voice sounded wooden and lifeless as she struggled to control her feelings.
His likeness in this painting is curiously wooden.
The director gets only wooden performances from the actors.
The film has wooden acting and an appalling script.

Usage notes

Use 'wooden' to describe objects made of wood, like furniture or toys. Avoid using it for non-physical attributes or in highly formal contexts.

Grammar pattern

standalone adjective

Memory hint

Think of a 'wooden' puppet, stiff and rigid.

Collocations

wooden chair
wooden table
wooden toy
wooden fence
wooden beam

Synonyms

stiff

Antonyms

metal
plastic
synthetic

Common mistakes

Confused with 'wood-like' to describe materials that look like wood.
Using 'wooden' to describe emotions instead of 'stiff' or 'unemotional'.
Incorrectly using 'wooden' to refer to things that aren't made of wood.