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

Sometimes stems can be woody or difficult to remove. —Lauren David, Southern Living, 24 June 2025

Our experience generally syncs with the brand’s own chemical analyses, which found compounds contributing to woodier flavors more pronounced in the Texas-aged bourbon. —David Thomas Tao, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025

Noun

Nine scented capsule options are currently available, such as crowd-pleasing Baies (Berries) and woody 34 Boulevard Saint-Germain, named for the location of their first boutique, though this author’s pick for home scenting may have to be Figuier (Fig Tree), which smells lush and fresh. —Austa Somvichian-Clausen, Robb Report, 14 Aug. 2025

If the plant gets too far along in the flower/seed production, the stems can become woody and the leaves get tough, says Scholz. —Amy Brightfield, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Aug. 2025

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