Dictionary.com

owl

[ oul ]
/ aÊŠl /
Save This Word!

noun
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.
one of a breed of domestic pigeons having an owllike appearance.
a person of owllike solemnity or appearance.
adjective
operating late at night or all night: an owl train.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?

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

OTHER WORDS FROM owl

owllike, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use owl in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for owl

owl
/ (aÊŠl) /

noun
any nocturnal bird of prey of the order Strigiformes, having large front-facing eyes, a small hooked bill, soft feathers, and a short neck
any of various breeds of owl-like fancy domestic pigeon (esp the African owl, Chinese owl, and English owl)
a person who looks or behaves like an owl, esp in having a solemn manner

Derived forms of owl

owl-like, adjective

Word Origin for owl

Old English ūle; related to Dutch uil, Old High German ūwila, Old Norse ugla
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with owl

owl

see night owl.

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
FEEDBACK