owl
owl
Owl (noun) means a mostly nocturnal bird of prey with large forward-facing eyes and a sharp, hooked beak. Example: “An owl hooted somewhere in the woods.”
noun
1
A mostly nocturnal bird of prey with large forward-facing eyes and a sharp, hooked beak.
"An owl hooted somewhere in the woods."
"Owls can turn their heads almost all the way around."
"We spotted a barn owl perched silently on the fence post at dusk."
2
Someone thought of as wise, serious, or active at night.
"He's a total night owl, most productive after midnight."
"My sister is a real owl and never goes to bed before two."
"The old professor, a wise owl of the department, always gave sound advice."
How to use owl
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA nocturnal bird of prey, or someone who stays up and is active at night.
Common pairings
night owl
wise old owl
hoot of an owl
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like owl.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- owls
- Third person singular
- owls
- Past tense
- owled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
An _____ hooted somewhere in the woods.
Etymology
From Old English ūle, ultimately imitating the bird's cry, related to German Eule and Dutch uil.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for owl
See all rhymes for owl →Frequently asked questions
What does “owl” mean?
The word “owl” means a mostly nocturnal bird of prey with large forward-facing eyes and a sharp, hooked beak. In plain terms, a nocturnal bird of prey, or someone who stays up and is active at night.
How do you pronounce “owl”?
“Owl” is pronounced owl (/aʊ(ə)l/ in IPA).
How do you use “owl” in a sentence?
Here is “owl” used in a sentence: “An owl hooted somewhere in the woods.”
What part of speech is “owl”?
“Owl” is a noun.
Where does the word “owl” come from?
The word “owl” comes from Old English. From Old English ūle, ultimately imitating the bird's cry, related to German Eule and Dutch uil.
Is “owl” a common word?
“Owl” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “owl” have?
“Owl” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a mostly nocturnal bird of prey with large forward-facing eyes and a sharp, hooked beak.
What is the difference between an owl and a night owl?
An owl is a mostly nocturnal bird of prey with large forward-facing eyes and a hooked beak. A 'night owl' is an informal term for a person who stays up late or is most active at night.
What is the difference between an owl and a hawk?
Both are birds of prey with sharp, hooked beaks. Owls are mostly nocturnal with large forward-facing eyes, while hawks are typically active by day and have eyes set more to the sides of the head.
Why is a person sometimes called an owl?
Owls are traditionally seen as symbols of wisdom and seriousness. Calling someone an owl can suggest they are wise or thoughtful, or that they are active late at night.
What is a group of owls called?
A group of owls is called a 'parliament.' This collective noun is well established in English, though owls are often solitary in the wild.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include owl:
