1
: shaped like an egg
2
: having an outline like a longitudinal section of an egg with the basal end broader
ovate leaves
see leaf illustration

Examples of ovate in a Sentence

the governor's bald, ovate head makes him an easy target for caricaturists
Recent Examples on the Web Every bit of ground was drenched in sunlight and steaming in the heat, except for the living room that harbored the only wild population of Chittenango ovate amber snails in the world. Jessica Suarez Oliver Whang, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ovate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1760, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ovate was in 1760

Dictionary Entries Near ovate

Cite this Entry

“Ovate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ovate. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

ovate

adjective
: shaped like an egg in outline with the base wider than the end
ovate leaves

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