oval

1 of 3

noun (1)

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 3

adjective

: having the shape of an egg

also : broadly elliptical

ovality

ō-ˈva-lə-tē 

noun

ovally

ˈō-və-lē 

adverb

ovalness noun

ovality

3 of 3

noun (2)

oval·​i·​ty ōˈvalətē 

plural -es

: the quality or state of being oval in shape : degree of departure from true circularity

ovality of a worn gun bore

Synonyms of oval

Adjective

• elliptical

Examples of oval in a Sentence

Noun (1)

The racetrack is an oval.

Adjective

the Oval Office in the White House

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Often grown as a multi-stemmed tree, its spreading limbs provide an overall pyramidal to oval shape. —Wendy Rose Gould, Martha Stewart, 15 June 2026

Once a series of oval races run primarily in the south, NASCAR’s schedule now includes road and street course races and is truly national in scope. —Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 June 2026

Adjective

But his run to fourth in qualifying at Phoenix, the first oval race of the season, turned heads. —Luke Smith, New York Times, 22 May 2026

The ring features a 12-carat, oval Ceylon sapphire at its center surrounded by a halo of 14 diamonds set in 18k white gold—by anyone’s eye, a beautiful piece. —Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 9 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

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

Noun (2)

International Scientific Vocabulary oval entry 1 + -ity

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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"