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 of oval

Adjective

• elliptical

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

Each one is an oval organ, smooth and firm, roughly the size of a small egg. — Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN Money, 25 June 2026

Named for a town in Lazio, Italy, dark purple Gaeta olives are small and oval-shaped. — Emily Saladino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 25 June 2026

Adjective

Oval Glass Doors That front door with an oval glass inset? — Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 22 Feb. 2026

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

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"