Definition

A long, flat piece of wood that is used to make the surface of a floor.

Example

The old house had beautiful wooden floorboards that creaked when you walked on them.

Conversation

I heard a strange noise coming from the floorboard last night.

Really? That sounds creepy! What did it sound like?

It was like something was scratching beneath the floorboard.

You should check it out; it might be an animal or something.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Floorboard → It is formed from "floor" (from Old English *flōr*, meaning the lower surface of a room) and "board" (from Old English *bord*, meaning a flat piece of wood). The word "floorboard" refers to a flat piece of wood that makes up the surface of a floor.

Memory Tip

Think of the 'lower surface' ('floor') covered with 'flat pieces of wood' ('board') — that's what a floorboard is.

Visually Confused Words