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

Hawks and owls are natural predators, so welcome them into your garden with nesting boxes. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 21 May 2025

Local residents include woodpeckers, doves, crows, tawny owls and Little Sparrow Edith Piaf. —Sadie Stein, New York Times, 15 May 2025

Federal agents took photographs of the detainees’ tattoos: Rincon had an owl and his brother had the number 99, among others. —Gustavo Ocando Alex, Miami Herald, 11 May 2025

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

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