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

Compared with people in the intermediate category, those classified as "evening people," often called night owls, were 79% more likely to have an overall poor cardiovascular health score.

From Science Daily

The day after high school graduation, Dolly boarded the first bus for Nashville, where record producers said she sounded like a screech owl and was too country to sing country music.

From Salon

Once the babies were wrapped tight in their blankets, I heard the calling of an owl in the front yard.

From Literature

You might spot wildlife as you head up, including bobcat, deer, owls, foxes and if lucky, a mountain lion, Hartman said.

From Los Angeles Times

There, on a tree just beyond the window, sat an owl in the branches.

From Literature

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