woodwork

noun

wood·​work ˈwu̇d-ˌwərk 

1

: work made of wood

especially : interior fittings (such as moldings or stairways) of wood

2

: a place or state of concealment, seclusion, or anonymity

witnesses came out of the woodwork when a reward was offered

Examples of woodwork in a Sentence

We painted the walls white and the woodwork red.

The kick hit the woodwork.

Recent Examples on the Web

Among them are two leaded glass windows, six stained glass windows, original floors, woodwork, doors and trim, original glass windows, and details to the crown molding in the dining room to complement the original trim. —Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025

Don’t be surprised if others start to come out of the woodwork to collaborate or confess their desires towards you. —Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Sep. 2025

Think fluted woodwork instead of shiplap and brass hardware instead of black, for example. —Monika Biegler Eyers, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Aug. 2025

Locally, another, more surprising figure came out of the woodwork: an entertainment reporter for the Times-Picayune named Chris Rose, who had a creative epiphany in the weeks following the storm. —Jeanie Riess, New Yorker, 23 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1609, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing woodwork

• come/crawl out of the woodwork
• fade into the woodwork
• into the woodwork

Rhymes for woodwork

• artwork
• beadwork
• berserk
• breastwork
• brickwork
• brushwork
• casework
• classwork
• clockwork
• coursework
• ductwork
• earthwork

Kids Definition

woodwork

noun

wood·​work -ˌwərk 

: work made of wood

especially : interior fittings (as window frames or stairways) of wood