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

If a cyborg and an owl had a baby, this costume would be it. —Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Jan. 2026

Provide Lots Of Cover Larger owls perch high in trees to sleep during the day. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 2 Jan. 2026

Not coyotes, owls, or sleeping deer, or any of God’s ordinary creatures. —David Searcy, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025

Rat poison ends up in the wildlife food chain, killing the very animals that eat rats, like owls and bobcats. —Lisa Bloch, Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2025

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