owl

[oul]

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.

adjective

1. operating late at night or all night.

   an owl train.

owl

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• owl-like adjective
• owllike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of owl¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of owl¹

Old English ūle; related to Dutch uil, Old High German ūwila, Old Norse ugla

Idioms and Phrases

see night owl.

Example Sentences

The Original Pantry opened in 1924 and built its Los Angeles legacy on its 24-hour service, becoming a familiar haunt for night owls.

From Los Angeles Times

Perhaps surprisingly, owls and dogs make good ringbearers, but children often have "no idea what's going on at all", she says.

From BBC

A great horned owl found itself in a seriously sticky situation after becoming stuck in a glue trap in Orange County, rendering it both flightless and food-less.

From Los Angeles Times

It was now a cold, silent night, broken only by snores, the occasional yelp of someone dreaming, and the hoot of a single owl.

From BBC

Veterinarians and engineers have studied how a barn owl flies so smoothly in gusty winds, and discovered wings act like a suspension and stabilise the head and torso when flying through disturbed air.

From BBC

Related Words

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