oblong

American  

[ob-lawng, -long] / ˈɒbˌlɔŋ, -ˌlɒŋ /

adjective

1. elongated, usually from the square or circular form.

2. in the form of a rectangle one of whose dimensions is greater than the other.

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noun

1. an oblong figure.

oblong British  

/ ˈɒbˌlɒŋ /

adjective

1. having an elongated, esp rectangular, shape

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noun

1. a figure or object having this shape

Other Word Forms

• oblongish adjective
• oblongly adverb
• oblongness noun

Etymology

Origin of oblong

1375–1425; late Middle English oblonge < Latin oblongus rather long, equivalent to ob- ob- + longus long ¹

Explanation

If you take a rectangle or a circle and stretch it out, you end up with an elongated shape called an oblong. If you stretch a circle until it becomes an oval, you've made it oblong. First consider the Latin word longus, which means "long," and the prefix "ob," which refers to some direction. It makes sense, then, that an oblong should be an elongated shape, stretched long in one direction. It can be used a noun or an adjective. If your dining room table is an oblong, you're going to need an oblong tablecloth.

Example Sentences

It was malleable and oblong, perfectly complemented by a waft of boy-next-door blond locks and a brow that could convey emotion just as well as any histrionic soap dialogue.

From Salon • Feb. 15, 2026

But he didn’t quit the project, and future designs were full of oblong shapes, zig-zagging roofs and slanted walls, designs that were playful but also a nonsensical view of reality.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 21, 2026

Ornaments dangling in a shop window cast oblong shadows in a 2013 picture that’s almost surreal, echoing Man Ray and Dora Maar.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 19, 2025

Depending on the neighborhood, you might see a little white oblong box that looks like it could pick up sound.

From Slate • Feb. 22, 2024

It’s a pocket mirror, the small plain oblong kind without any rim.

From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood