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

The campaign was shot in Los Angeles alongside symbolic animals — a hawk, an owl, an indigo snake and Dobermans — that are meant to represent different facets of Mackage’s DNA. —Renan Botelho, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2025

Great gray owls hunt blind, flying low, listening to the faintest rustling of a mouse beneath snow. —Kate Siber, Outside, 21 Oct. 2025

To keep the cattle and other animals away, the owls will huddle together, clacking their beaks to mimic rattlesnakes, which cattle instinctively know to avoid. —Regina Elling, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Oct. 2025

They are said to possess the power to transform into wolves, coyotes or even owls, using their abilities to harm others or cause mischief. —Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 17 Oct. 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