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Definition of snowy owl
snowy owl
Plural:snowy owls
snowy owl Lexical Profile
CEFR
B2
Grade
4
Tier
2
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
A large, predominantly white owl of the family Strigidae, native to the Arctic tundra regions of North America and Eurasia, known for its diurnal hunting habits and lack of ear tufts.
Example
"During particularly harsh winters, the snowy owl will occasionally migrate southward from the Arctic tundra into the northern United States in search of lemmings."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
The name derives from its striking, predominantly white plumage that provides camouflage in its snowy habitat, combined with the Old English word 'ule' (owl).
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Snowy owl. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 11, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/snowy owl