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 Blakiston’s fish owl is the rarest owl in Japan but often visits the Yoroushi onsen in the evening. —Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 27 May 2026

In late October, Schottenheimer recalled an unusual moment when an owl flew through an open sliding door and into his home during a game-planning meeting prior to a matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. —Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 26 May 2026

But the town has been plagued by a string of mysterious disappearances – and Michael’s new group of goth-rockin’, night-owl pals just might be the cause. —Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 26 May 2026

Instead of Spotify’s signature green icon sitting across the chest, Barcelona wore Drake’s OVO owl logo, commemorating the rapper becoming the first artist in Spotify history to surpass 50 billion streams on the platform. —Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 26 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