What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
wooden
Example
The wooden chair creaked as he sat down. [wooden: adjective]
Example
The wooden fence was weathered and gray. [wooden: adjective]
Example
Her response was wooden and lacked emotion. [wooden: figurative]
timber
Example
The carpenter used timber to build the frame of the house. [timber: noun]
Example
The logging company harvested timber from the forest. [timber: noun]
Example
The sound of timber crashing echoed through the forest. [timber: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Wooden is more commonly used than timber in everyday language, as it has a wider range of applications and can be used to describe objects of any size. Timber is more specific and is primarily used in the context of construction or building.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between wooden and timber?
Both wooden and timber can be used in formal and informal contexts, but timber may be more commonly used in technical or specialized fields, such as forestry or construction, where precise terminology is important.
