horned owl: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1technical/zoological, literary
Quick answer
What does “horned owl” mean?
A type of owl characterized by prominent feather tufts on its head that resemble horns.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of owl characterized by prominent feather tufts on its head that resemble horns.
Any owl of the genus Bubo, including the great horned owl and Eurasian eagle-owl, known for their large size, powerful talons, and distinctive ear tufts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'eagle-owl' is more commonly used for the Eurasian species (Bubo bubo), while 'horned owl' is understood but less frequent. In American English, 'horned owl' is standard, especially for the great horned owl.
Connotations
Both carry similar connotations of wisdom, nocturnal predation, and wilderness. The American usage may evoke specific North American wildlife contexts.
Frequency
Higher frequency in American English due to the prominence of the great horned owl across North America.
Grammar
How to Use “horned owl” in a Sentence
The [adjective] horned owl [verb] [prepositional phrase].A horned owl's [noun] is [adjective].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “horned owl” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The territory was horned-owled for decades.
- They are horned-owling in the woodland reserve.
American English
- The forest has been horned-owled by a persistent pair.
- We went horned-owling last night with a spotlight.
adjective
British English
- The horned-owl population is stable.
- We studied horned-owl behaviour.
American English
- The horned-owl nest was in a tall pine.
- He has a horned-owl tattoo on his arm.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in wildlife tourism or conservation branding.
Academic
Common in zoology, ornithology, and ecology papers.
Everyday
Used by birdwatchers, in nature documentaries, and general descriptions of wildlife.
Technical
Precise taxonomic reference to genus Bubo, with species specification.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “horned owl”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “horned owl”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “horned owl”
- Misspelling as 'horned owel' or 'horned oul'.
- Using 'horned owl' to refer to any owl with facial disks.
- Assuming the 'horns' are bony structures.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are not bony structures. They are simply tufts of feathers called plumicorns.
In the Americas, it is the great horned owl (Bubo virginianus). In Europe and Asia, it is the Eurasian eagle-owl (Bubo bubo).
It is a common name. The scientific genus is Bubo. The term is precise in ornithology when referring to this genus.
Informally, yes, particularly among birdwatchers (e.g., 'to go horned-owling' means to look for them). It is not a standard dictionary entry as a verb.
A type of owl characterized by prominent feather tufts on its head that resemble horns.
Horned owl is usually technical/zoological, literary in register.
Horned owl: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhɔːnd ˈaʊl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhɔːrnd ˈaʊl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “wise as a horned owl”
- “the horned owl's vigil”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
HORNED OWL: Has tufts that look like HORNS, and it gives a HOOT at night.
Conceptual Metaphor
A symbol of wisdom, mystery, and nocturnal insight; a silent, powerful predator.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic of a horned owl?