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

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

During one barrage, Mr. Filatov, 34, ducked into a bomb shelter, still wearing his owlish glasses.

From New York Times • Nov. 18, 2022

He lay for a moment, blinking in owlish incomprehension at the light; then suddenly remembered—everything.

From "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley