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

Cut Itoh peonies to the point where the green stems become woody. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2026

However, proper harvest techniques can keep the herbaceous plant from becoming too woody. — Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 10 Sep. 2026

Noun

Skip pruning woody plants in fall to avoid harming them; wait until late winter or spring. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 14 Sep. 2026

Banisteriopsis caapi, thick, climbing, woody vine (liana) of the Malpighiaceae family, native to tropical South America and widely associated with the rainforests of the Amazon basin. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Sep. 2026

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

Rhymes for woody

• goody
• hoodie

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