1
: an oval figure or object
2
: a racetrack in the shape of an oval or a rectangle having rounded corners
: having the shape of an egg
also
: broadly elliptical
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
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
Marci Robin, Allure, 10 June 2026
No outfit is complete without the right accessories, and Bieber pulled everything together with oval sunglasses with black frames just like this Quince pair.
—Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 9 June 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for oval
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Square nails are often associated with longer lengths because a lot of folks are under the impression that the more blunt shape can make short nails look wider and stubbier, favoring rounded, oval, or squoval shapes for a less-long manicure.
—Marci Robin, Allure, 10 June 2026
No outfit is complete without the right accessories, and Bieber pulled everything together with oval sunglasses with black frames just like this Quince pair.
—Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 9 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
See All Example Sentences for oval
Cite this Entry
“Oval.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oval. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
oval
1 of 2 noun
: 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"
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
