English Reference
noun

woods

n.
US /ˈwʊdz/ UK /wˈʊdz/ woods

  1. 01 A2 Elementary

    an area of land where many trees grow together, usually smaller than a forest.

    a dense collection of trees covering a specific area of land. Often used in the plural to refer to a single wooded area.

    Simple

    We spent the afternoon walking along the paths in the woods.

    In context

    The children spent their summer building forts in the woods behind their house, hidden from view by the thick canopy of oak trees.

    Pitfall
    We went for a walk in the wood. We went for a walk in the woods.

    While 'wood' can mean the material, the area of trees is almost always plural ('the woods') in everyday English.

  2. 02 C2 Proficiency Technical Science

    a group of trees used as a place to hide or stay safe during military actions.

    trees in full leaf, including coniferous or medium-dense deciduous areas, considered as a specific environment for tactical cover or chemical behavior.

    Simple

    The soldiers moved through the woods to stay hidden from the drones.

    In context

    The technical report analyzed how the dense woods affected the dispersal of chemical agents compared to open grassland environments.

    Usage

    Often used attributively in technical reports regarding environmental effects on equipment.

This entry
Level A2 · Elementary
Frequency Common
Updated