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

There was letter-sound bingo, guess-the-sound flashcards and even a visit from a special spelling helper — a toy owl, named Echo, who lives at the end of a yardstick. —Cory Turner, NPR, 13 May 2026

This included two poems about dying grandmothers; one poem about owls and their habitats; one poem about Jesus, Lamb and Carpenter; and one about losing the tip of a finger—Dan’s, his hand held up as evidence—to a rotary saw. —Literary Hub, 11 May 2026

The top five mascot finalists were coyotes, lions, owls, patriots and wolves. —Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 10 May 2026

Some clips showed owls and ravens attacking the couple, especially riling up fans. —Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 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