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

Duolingo is back at its antics, this time taking over spaces formerly occupied by another owl mascot. —Greta Cross, USA Today, 10 Dec. 2025

Arizona's animals are spotted in nature and sometimes your neighborhood, including bobcats, javelinas, snakes, deer, owls, hummingbirds, rabbits and more. —Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 3 Dec. 2025

The owls did seem rattled, however, by some peregrine falcons that swooped down near them, something Clark was able to capture on his camera. —CBS News, 25 Nov. 2025

Choose from all sorts of animals, including honeybee, owl, and koi fish. —Francesca Krempa, StyleCaster, 25 Nov. 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