owl

American  

[oul] / aʊl /

noun

1. any of numerous, chiefly nocturnal birds of prey, of the order Strigiformes, having a broad head with large, forward-directed eyes that are usually surrounded by disks of modified feathers: many populations are diminishing owing to loss of habitat.

2. one of a breed of domestic pigeons having an owllike appearance.

3. night owl.

4. a person of owllike solemnity or appearance.

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adjective

1. operating late at night or all night.

   an owl train.

owl British  

/ aʊl /

noun

1. any nocturnal bird of prey of the order Strigiformes, having large front-facing eyes, a small hooked bill, soft feathers, and a short neck

2. any of various breeds of owl-like fancy domestic pigeon (esp the African owl, Chinese owl, and English owl )

3. a person who looks or behaves like an owl, esp in having a solemn manner

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owl Idioms  

1. see night owl.

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Other Word Forms

• owl-like adjective
• owllike adjective

Etymology

Origin of owl

before 900; Middle English oule, Old English ūle; cognate with Low German ūle, Dutch uil; akin to German Eule, Old Norse ugla

Example Sentences

Visitors view other butterflies behind an owl butterfly, foreground.

From Los Angeles Times

A couple of old screech owls swooped up a hedgerow, looking for mice.

From Literature

Noises boomed unnaturally loud: the gurgle of the river, the hoo-hoo of an owl; the famished yipping of that infuriating cub.

From Literature

Home to hundreds of different flowers, the hillsides of Conejo Open Space are covered in yellow monkeyflowers, lupine, California poppies and owl’s clover.

From Los Angeles Times

Possibilities, subject to a public consultation, include badgers and otters as well as frogs, hedgehogs, barn owls and newts.

From Barron's

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