owlish

American  

[ou-lish] / ˈaʊ lɪʃ /

adjective

1. resembling or characteristic of an owl.

   His thick glasses give him an owlish appearance.

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ˈowlish British  

/ ˈaʊlɪʃ /

adjective

1. like an owl

2. solemn and wise in appearance

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Other Word Forms

• owlishly adjective
• owlishness noun

Etymology

Origin of owlish

First recorded in 1605–15; owl + -ish ¹

Example Sentences

A 1972 shot sees two couples on a bird-watching expedition with binoculars held to their eyes, appearing owlish themselves.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

With his owlish orange glasses and mincing theatrical manners, Cera seems custom-designed for Anderson’s style.

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2025

Short and thick-bodied, dressed in a bespoke suit and round, owlish glasses, Leo looked like a character from an Agatha Christie mystery.

From Salon • Oct. 12, 2023

Nellie is a “short, owlish woman. … almost dwarfed by the enormous bouquet of white lilies and pink roses that was thrust into her arms.”

From Seattle Times • Dec. 5, 2022

She continued to study me behind glasses that seemed to make her eyes big and owlish and full of expectation.

From "It All Comes Down to This" by Karen English