What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
wooden
Example
The wooden chair was sturdy and well-crafted. [wooden: adjective]
Example
He gave a wooden performance in the school play. [wooden: adjective]
Example
Her wooden response to the news was disappointing. [wooden: adjective]
woody
Example
The hiking trail led through a woody area with tall trees. [woody: adjective]
Example
The wine had a woody flavor with hints of oak. [woody: adjective]
Example
The new furniture had a woody texture that added warmth to the room. [woody: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Wooden is more commonly used than woody in everyday language, as it has a wider range of contexts and meanings. Woody is more specific and tends to be used in certain contexts, such as describing forests or wine flavors.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between wooden and woody?
Both wooden and woody are generally informal words, but wooden can also be used in formal contexts to describe stiffness or lack of emotion in behavior or writing.
