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

While many celebrities are coming out of the woodwork to share their thrifty habits, one is admitting he’s already flown through much of his cash. —Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 24 June 2025

But after the bill passed both chambers and the session ended, individuals and groups came out of the woodwork to express opposition to the measure. —Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 22 June 2025

For decades now, brokers have cautioned sellers against listing a property with design choices that are too specific: bright colors, heavy drapes, dark woodwork, antiques. —Kim Velsey, Curbed, 22 May 2025

The defense's claim, that naming names will bring other witnesses out of the woodwork, ignores that anyone who would be a potential witness has been following this trial from the start. —Ashley Hume , Lauryn Overhultz , Janelle Ash , Maria Paronich, FOXNews.com, 13 June 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