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

The device offers the usual suspects of attachments—a curling barrel (two for left- and right-airflow styling), an oval brush, and a paddle brush. — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 1 July 2026

The entire design grew around the Ficus Nitida, which stretches from the main deck through an oval void of approximately 172 square feet to the upper deck. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 30 June 2026

Adjective

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

Add a circular or oval coffee table to complement the rounded lines. — Blake Bakkila, Architectural Digest, 22 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"