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

By watching the entire auroral oval at once, SMILE can help scientists connect what is happening with the magnetosphere with the auroras glowing below. — Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Allure editors reach for the multistyler’s oval attachment for frizz-free, va-va-voom bounce, or the dual bristle paddle brush for sleek, straight styles. — Madison San Miguel, Allure, 1 Oct. 2026

Adjective

Steaks, such as a 16-ounce Snake River Farms wagyu ribeye ($78) are presented unceremoniously on an oval white plate, without so much as a sprig of parsley, much less a sauce. — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026

He’s propped high on a rock at one end of a very long, oval lily pond. — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 11 Sep. 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"