owl

noun

ˈau̇(-ə)l 

: any of an order (Strigiformes) of chiefly nocturnal birds of prey with a large head and eyes, short hooked bill, strong talons, and soft fluffy often brown-mottled plumage

Examples of owl in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Work your way down the street, keeping an eye out for the cartoonish owl in a baseball cap in one yard, the skeleton riding a motorcycle in the next, the cow and a chicken caught mid-discussion atop a tractor in a third. —Alissa Greenberg, Mercury News, 15 June 2026

Each of the young owls was hesitant to leave their small transportation boxes at first. —Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 June 2026

Specialty suppliers carry balloons with huge, owl-like eyes and bright colors that rotate in the breeze, giving the impression of immediate danger. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 11 June 2026

This time of year, visitors flock to the Raptor Center to learn about falcons, hawks, owls and eagles. —John Lauritsen, CBS News, 11 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English owle, from Old English ūle; akin to Old High German uwila owl

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing owl

• barn owl
• barred owl
• burrowing owl
• elf owl
• great horned owl
• horned owl
• night owl
• northern spotted owl
• owl monkey
• saw-whet owl
• screech owl
• short-eared owl
• snowy owl
• spotted owl

Rhymes for owl

• foul
• foule
• fowl
• growl
• howl
• jowl
• prowl
• scowl
• afoul
• wildfowl
• waterfowl

Kids Definition

owl

noun

ˈau̇(ə)l 

: any of an order of birds of prey that are active mainly at night and that have a broad head, very large eyes, and a powerful hooked beak and claws