MEANING
In a stiff or lifeless way, lacking natural movement, feeling, or expression.
Use it for
Words that belong together
- speak woodenly
- move woodenly
On the page
He recited the apology woodenly, keeping his eyes on the page.
Word forms
- Base
- woodenly
Usage notes
Primary category: literary / elevated general. Forms: Invariable adverb. Legacy lexical fields mirror sense 1 only. Use numbered sense fields for all meanings. Established modern English lexical item. No separate regional spelling or grammatical inflection entry. Writing functions: description, character. Commonness: moderately common.
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