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

Kids’ bikes with stabilisers can be arranged on request, there are opportunities to meet camels, falcons, owls and Spot and Fluff the ponies, and the desert can seem like a big sandy playground to little kids. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Jan. 2026

One TikToker even took time to comment and say the out-of-shape owl had snatched the funniest TikTok title. —Saleen Martin, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026

Social media users have been filming videos not just imitating owls, but impersonating different people impersonating owls. —Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 25 Jan. 2026

Since Christmas, the camera showed opossums, raccoons, an owl, bunnies, squirrels, a bobcat and, of course, coyotes. —Kendrick Calfee updated January 22, Kansas City Star, 22 Jan. 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