tawny

Everyday

1. Tawny describes a warm orange-brown or yellowish-brown colour, like a lion's fur. tree →
2. A tawny owl is a common brown owl in Britain and Europe. tree →
3. Tawny port is a kind of brown wine (for adults). tree →

In the lessons

Used in stories and descriptions of animals, autumn leaves and hair; in science lessons about British wildlife, the tawny owl («twit-twoo» calls); it tells the reader about colour.

Examples

• The lion shook its tawny mane. tree →
• A tawny owl hooted in the woods at night. tree →
• Her tawny hair glowed in the sunshine. tree →
• The hills were tawny with dry grass. tree →
• The tawny frogmouth is an Australian bird. tree →
• Oh, come with me, Connla of the Fiery Hair, ruddy as the dawn with thy tawny skin. tree →

Note

Mostly used before a noun: «a tawny cat». Fun fact: the famous «twit-twoo» is often two tawny owls calling to each other, a female «twit» and a male «twoo».