noun
owl
owl
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."
2
Someone thought of as wise, serious, or active at night.
"He's a total night owl, most productive after midnight."
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
Word Forms
owled past tense, owls plural, Owls plural, owls singular
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Etymology
From Old English ūle, ultimately imitating the bird's cry, related to German Eule and Dutch uil.