oval

1 of 2

noun

ˈō-vəl 

1

: an oval figure or object

2

: a racetrack in the shape of an oval or a rectangle having rounded corners

oval

2 of 2

adjective

: having the shape of an egg

also : broadly elliptical

ovality

ō-ˈva-lə-tē 

noun

ovally

ˈō-və-lē 

adverb

ovalness noun

Synonyms

Adjective

• elliptical
• elliptic
• ovate
• ovoid
• ovoidal

Examples of oval in a Sentence

Noun

The racetrack is an oval.

Adjective

the Oval Office in the White House

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Her first lower premolar was oval in shape and had a single cusp, like an ape’s. —Donald C. Johanson, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2024

A couple of weeks after the convention, at a rally outside Portsmouth, New Hampshire, a crowd presses at the edges of a makeshift stage set within a hot oval of bleachers and mowed grass. —Nathan Heller, Vogue, 11 Oct. 2024

Adjective

The Kohler Sunstruck oval tub is standard in the primary bathroom if this layout is chosen. —Benjamin C Tankersley, Washington Post, 1 Feb. 2023

This simple opener works well on circular cans but may not be effective on dented, square, or oval cans. —Maya Polton, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Jan. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Medieval Latin ovalis, from Late Latin, of an egg, from Latin ovum

First Known Use

Noun

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1561, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing oval

• oval window

Kids Definition

oval

1 of 2 noun

ˈō-vəl 

: an oval figure or object

oval

2 of 2 adjective

: having the shape or outline of an egg

Etymology

Adjective

from Latin ovalis (adjective) "having the shape of an egg," derived from earlier ovum "egg"