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 home’s sleek, ground-huggin linearity stands out among the property’s towering old-growth trees that to any ornithologist’s delight attract a plethora of wildlife including bald eagles, hawks, osprey, and owls. —Tori Latham, Robb Report, 15 May 2025

For folks who like to see faces in clouds, the sun’s surface appears to show a giant owl or a flying phoenix. —Jade Walker, CNN Money, 30 Apr. 2025

Drake uses an owl as his logo for merchandise and OVO Sound, his record label. —Marina Watts, People.com, 1 Apr. 2025

While Waldrop favored raptors — more than half of the collection included hawks, eagles, vultures, falcons, and owls — investigators also noted dozens of duck mounts in the collection. —Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 10 Apr. 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