Skip to main content
whitewood

whitewood

1 7.2
Light pale wood from the tulip tree used to make furniture and veneer
  • noun
  • /ˈhwaɪtˌwʊd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : madera blanca
  • In June, rumors began to swirl around one of the most resolute marriages in Hollywood when blonde Danielle was pictured enjoying a night out with her Dancing With the Stars partner Damian Whitewood.

Examples

  • Whitewood-Young Industries.

  • According to the Sydney Morning Herald report, there were rumors about the couple's relationship woes when Spencer was photographed in June spending time with her pro dance partner, Damian Whitewood.

    Blog text (16)
  • The carpenter chose whitewood for the elegant furniture he was crafting.

  • The chest of drawers was made from whitewood, making it lightweight and easy to move.

  • She admired the beautiful whitewood veneer that added a sleek finish to the cabinets.

Synonyms

true tulipwood
vswhitewood
  • Specialized
9.0

Light, easy to work wood from the tulip tree used for furniture and veneers

is the general term without the botanical label
yellow poplar
vswhitewood
  • US
6.6

Light wood from the tulip tree that is easy to cut and used for furniture

is the alternative common name for the same wood
white poplar
vswhitewood
  • US
6.7

A light wood from the tulip tree used to make furniture and veneers

is the same material but listed under a different name
tulipwood
vswhitewood
  • US
8.5

Wood from a tulip tree used for making furniture

focuses on being light and easy to work rather than decorative appeal
canary whitewood
vswhitewood
  • US
9.9

A tall North American tree with tulip-shaped yellow flowers and soft white wood used for cabinets

refers specifically to the light wood used for furniture and veneers

Compounds

A tall North American tree with tulip-shaped yellow flowers and soft white wood used for cabinets

How Light

balsa
3 5.6
whitewood
  • Specialized
1 7.2
maple
29 1.0
oak
44 1.0

Surface Forms

whitewood singular
whitewoods plural

Morphology

whitewood = white + wood (semi-transparent) = white + wood

The compound literally combines 'white' and 'wood' (transparent at the word-part level), but the sense as a specific trade or common name for the light, easily worked timber (often from the tulip tree) is somewhat specialised.

Etymology

Whitewood comes from the two simple English words white ('pale') and wood, so it literally means 'pale wood'. That's why whitewood names light, easy-to-shape timber, often from trees like the tulip tree, and is commonly used for furniture.