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

Derived Forms

• ˈowl-ˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• owllike 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

Like Saben’s handprints in the concrete patio outside the studio, Hsiao’s own wildly creative imprint is clear in the whimsical vessels that line the shelves of the former two-car garage: from long-beaked toucan pitchers and owl juicers to Japanese daruma wishing dolls and Venus of Willendorf lady tiki cups.

From Los Angeles Times

They also collected X-ray videos from an iguana and an alligator and examined the shapes of leg bones in other birds, including a penguin, an ostrich, an owl, and a crane.

From Science Daily

The geologically unique area is a spiritual center for the Pit River and Modoc tribes and serves as habitat for protected species, including the bald eagle and northern spotted owl.

From Los Angeles Times

So then, when he’s here, I stay up later because he’s such a night owl and I hate that there’s all these hours I miss hanging out with him, so I try and stay up a little later.

From Los Angeles Times

The new album’s title may hint at sunshine and waking hours, but make no mistake, Yoakam is a night owl, a man for whom work begins around dusk and often stretches into dawn.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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