woody

1 of 2

adjective

ˈwu̇-dē 

woodier; woodiest

1

: abounding or overgrown with woods

2

a

: of or containing wood or wood fibers : ligneous

woody tissues

b

: having woody parts : rich in xylem and associated structures

woody plants

3

: characteristic of or suggestive of wood

wine with a woody flavor

woodiness noun

woody

2 of 2

noun

ˈwu̇-dē 

variants or woodie

plural woodies

: a wood-paneled station wagon

Examples of woody in a Sentence

Adjective

a woody piece of land

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

This means, with every person who tested her perfume, the bright, woody aroma smells faintly different. —India Espy-Jones, Essence, 16 Aug. 2024

And just like any good garnish, these lighter, often fleeting fragrance notes tend to layer well with heavier, longer-lasting scents, playing well with florals and harmonizing with woodier notes like cypress and hinoki that have naturally citrusy undertones themselves. —Lori Keong, Allure, 22 July 2024

Noun

While sage grown as an annual usually won't turn woody, sages are semi-woody shrubs and will start to thicken and get woody and stiff over the years. —Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Sep. 2024

Summer flowering woody plants (crepe myrtle, beautyberry, glossy abelia, nandina) should be pruned before spring growth begins. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 12 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

alteration of wood entry 2

First Known Use

Adjective

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1961, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

woody

adjective

ˈwu̇d-ē

woodier; woodiest

1

: having or covered with trees

a woody piece of land

2

: of or containing wood or wood fibers

woody plant tissue

3

: characteristic of or similar to wood

a woody texture