Definition

Describing a type of wood that comes from coniferous trees, which is generally lighter and less dense than hardwood.

Example

The carpenter preferred using softwood for the furniture because it is easier to work with.

Conversation

I just bought some new furniture made of softwood.

Oh nice! Is it light and easy to move around?

Yeah, I love how the softwood gives it a cozy feel.

That sounds perfect for your living room!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Definition

A type of wood that comes from coniferous trees, which are trees that usually have needles and produce cones, like pines and firs.

Example

The carpenter chose softwood for the furniture because it is easier to work with than hardwood.

Conversation

Have you ever worked with softwood for any projects?

Yeah, I used it to make some furniture last summer.

That's cool! I heard softwood is easier to shape than hardwood.

Root Explanation

Softwood is formed from "soft" (from Old English "softe", meaning not hard or yielding) and "wood" (from Old English "wudu", meaning tree or wood material). The term "softwood" refers to wood that is generally softer and comes from coniferous trees, as opposed to hardwood from deciduous trees.

Memory Tip

Think of 'soft' meaning not hard, and 'wood' referring to tree material — this helps you remember that softwood is wood that is softer than hardwood.

Visually Confused Words