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

His long white oval scleras and perfect-circle black pupils, sometimes open and sometimes closed, are always inexplicably expressive—managing to seem happy, sad, scared, sleepy, shifty, angry, eager, alarmed, mischievous, or murderous. — Casey Cep, New Yorker, 7 July 2026

In a move that surprised the queen, Diana chose the largest stone presented, a 12-carat oval blue Ceylon sapphire surrounded by a halo of diamonds. — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 6 July 2026

Adjective

By April 2019, the final stone went on show in Gabarone, graded as a type 11b Fancy Deep Blue, oval brilliant-cut VVS2 clarity, according to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). — Kate Matthams, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

The Meta Adventurer comes in a rectangular shape, the Meta Fury takes a more Ray-Ban-like square shape, while a special-edition Meta Glasses by Kylie comes in a slim, oval frame designed in collaboration with Kylie Jenner. — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 23 June 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"