Humans have been making objects out of wood since before there even was an English language, but the adjectival use of "wood" didn't come into being until the 14th century, and "wooden" didn't appear …

WOODEN definition: 1. made of wood: 2. used to describe behaviour that is awkward or shows little expression: 3…. Learn more.

1. Made or consisting of wood. 2. Stiff and unnatural; without spirit: a wooden performance; a wooden smile. 3. Clumsy and awkward; ungainly.

If you describe an actor as wooden, you are critical of them because their performance is not at all lively or natural.

Mar 20, 2026 · Adjective wooden (comparative more wooden, superlative most wooden) Made of wood. a wooden boat On a recent windy day, hundreds of visitors climbed wooden stairs to take pictures in …

Definition of wooden adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

wooden: Made or consisting of wood.