What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Wooden vs Gooden - What's the difference?

wooden | gooden |

As an adjective wooden

is made of wood.

As a verb gooden is

to make good; improve; better; perfect.

wooden

English

Alternative forms

* (l) (obsolete)

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Made of wood.
  • * , chapter=12
  • , title= The Mirror and the Lamp , passage=There were many wooden chairs for the bulk of his visitors, and two wicker armchairs with red cloth cushions for superior people. From the packing-cases had emerged some Indian clubs, […], and all these articles […] made a scattered and untidy decoration that Mrs. Clough assiduously dusted and greatly cherished.}}
  • (label) As if made of wood, moving awkwardly, unmoving.
  • gooden

    English

    Etymology 1

    From . More at (l).

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To make good; improve; better; perfect.
  • *2009 , Helen Malson, Maree Burns, Critical Feminist Approaches to Eating Dis/Orders :
  • For many years we have endeavored to comprehend how a/b could transform highly intelligent and in many respects 'model' girls and women (and sometimes boys and men) into unwitting bystanders and accomplices to their own torture and impending death while remaining convinced that they are being perfected and goodened ?
  • *2010 , Richard Francis, Fruitlands: The Alcott Family and Their Search for Utopia :
  • The passive voice is all-pervasive. This is a world in which virtue is achieved by not doing things, only thus, like Jesus (Wright tells us) may we “be Goodened with Good.
  • To become good.
  • To grow; improve; prosper.
  • Derived terms
    * (l)

    Etymology 2

    Back-formation from goodening, an alteration of .

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (dialectal) To perambulate, usually town to town, collecting alms, gifts, or small gratuities before Christmas-time, usually on .
  • *1871 , Henry Martin, The history of Brighton and environs :
  • Phoebe, in support of a good old Sussex custom, regularly, on St. Thomas's Day, December 21st, went out "Goodening ," visiting well-to-do parishioners, to gossip upon the past, over hot elderberry wine and plum cake, and to receive doles, either in money or materials, [...]
  • *1910 , Peter Hampson Ditchfield, Vanishing England: the book :
  • In 1899 the oldest dame who took part in the ceremony was aged ninety-three, while in 1904 a widow "goodened " for the thirtieth year in succession.
    Synonyms
    * (l)