A widget area is simply an area that can contain widgets. It can be anywhere on a theme.
A sidebar is a sidebar on a website (the usual–no different for WP) and usually is widgetized. A dynamic sidebar means a sidebar that is widgetized. People do occasionally use “sidebar” and “widget area” interchangeably, but technically, a widgetized area can be anywhere, and a sidebar is specific.
Thanks for reply,
So a second sidebar within some themes is not really a sidebar? just a widgetized are called sidebar?
Every sidebar is basically just an area to contain widgets. They are called sidebars because that’s where they are normally used. There’s also a lot of themes that use “sidebars” as footers, placed in content areas, and at other places around that aren’t on the “side” of the site.
