How to pronounce woodwork
Say it like WUUD-wurk. Woodwork has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WUUD).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce woodwork. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- WUUD
- wurk
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Woodwork pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- WUUDSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in book.
- wurkGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
American vs British pronunciation of woodwork
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: WUUD-wurk.
What does woodwork mean?
- Something made from wood, especially cabinets and trim (e.g., baseboards, doorframes) made from millwork.
- Working with wood.“He does woodwork as a hobby.”
- A place of concealment or obscurity.“out of the woodwork”
- To go completely stealth as a transgender person. (From the idea of fading or blending into the woodwork.)
Where does woodwork come from?
From Middle English woodewerk (“carpentry”), equivalent to wood + work.
Questions about saying woodwork
How do you pronounce woodwork?
Say WUUD-wurk. The American pronunciation is /ˈwʊˌdwɝk/. In British English it is /ˈwʊˌdwɜːk/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in woodwork?
Woodwork has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WUUD). Broken into parts: WUUD · wurk.
Is woodwork pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈwʊˌdwɜːk/ (WUUD-wurk).