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Definition of owlish

owlish

/ˈaʊ.lɪʃ/
owl · ish
Adverb:owlishly
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owlish Lexical Profile

owlish Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Resembling or characteristic of an owl, especially in having large, round, staring eyes or wearing heavy, round-rimmed spectacles.

Example

"The professor peered over his thick, round glasses with an owlish expression as the students filed into the lecture hall."

2

Solemn, grave, and studious in manner, often appearing earnestly wise or humorless.

Example

"Despite his owlish demeanor during board meetings, the chief archivist possessed a surprisingly dry sense of wit."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

owing
owl
owlet
owlish
owllike
own
ownable

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in the late 16th century from the noun owl (from Old English ule, of imitative origin) combined with the suffix -ish, drawing on the longstanding Western association of owls with large, staring eyes and solemn wisdom.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Owlish. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/owlish
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