French word

hibou

Pronunciation

IPA/ibu/

Meaning

  • masculine nounowl

Example

Il y a un hibou dans le jardin.

There is an owl in the garden.

Illustration for hibou (owl)

More examples

J'ai entendu le cri d'un hibou la nuit.

I heard an owl's cry at night.

Core concept

A night-flying raptor with a round face and often two feathered tufts above its head.

Common phrases

  • cri du hibou

    owl's cry

  • nid de hibou

    owl's nest

Similar words

chouette: A usually small, round-faced owl without ear tufts that hunts at night.
oiseau: An animal with feathers and a beak, usually capable of flight.

Definition in French

Désigne un rapace nocturne souvent pourvu d'aigrettes auriculaires et capable de tourner la tête pour localiser ses proies, chassant principalement rongeurs et insectes.

Word origin

The French noun hibou comes through Middle French from older French forms and is generally considered an imitation of the bird's call.

Usage tips

  • Hibou is masculine, so the usual forms are un hibou and des hiboux, with the final x silent.

Word lists with this word