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Definition of softwood

softwood

/ˈsɔːftwʊd/
soft · wood
Plural:softwoods
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softwood Lexical Profile

softwood Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The wood obtained from a gymnosperm tree, particularly a conifer such as pine, fir, or spruce, widely used in construction, carpentry, and paper manufacturing.

Example

"The carpenter selected kiln-dried softwood for the interior framing of the house because it was both lightweight and economical."

2

A coniferous tree that produces needle-like leaves and cones rather than flowers and enclosed seeds.

Example

"Fast-growing softwoods dominate the boreal forests of northern Canada and Scandinavia."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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Word Nuance & Usage

In botany and forestry, the distinction between softwood and hardwood is based on reproduction (gymnosperms versus angiosperms) rather than physical density; for example, balsa is botanically a hardwood even though it is much softer than most commercial softwoods.

• Nearby Words

softshell turtle
softshoe
software
softwood
softy
soggily
sogginess

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Softwood. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/softwood
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