oval

[oh-vuhl]

adjective

1. having the general form, shape, or outline of an egg; egg-shaped.

2. ellipsoidal or elliptical.

noun

1. an object of oval shape.

2. a body or plane figure that is oval in shape or outline.

3. an elliptical field or a field on which an elliptical track is laid out, as for athletic contests.

4. Informal.,  a football.

oval

¹

/ ˈəʊvəl, əʊˈvælɪtɪ /

adjective

1. having the shape of an ellipse or ellipsoid

noun

1. anything that is oval in shape, such as a sports ground

Oval

²

/ ˈəʊvəl /

noun

1. a cricket ground in south London, in the borough of Lambeth

Other Word Forms

• ovally adverb
• ovalness noun
• half-oval adjective
• pseudooval adjective
• pseudoovally adverb
• semioval adjective
• semiovally adverb
• semiovalness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of oval¹

1560–70; < New Latin ōvālis, equivalent to Latin ōv ( um ) egg ¹ + -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of oval¹

C16: from Medieval Latin ōvālis, from Latin ōvum egg

Example Sentences

The slightly oval shape of the moon’s orbit brings it closer to Earth at certain times of the year, when it covers a slightly larger area of the sky, according to the Griffith Observatory.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

This happens because the Moon does not orbit the Earth in a perfect circle - its axis of orbit more closely resembles an oval.

Read more on BBC

But for some, the true treat will turn out to be the classic oval or oblong-shaped russet spud, good for baking, frying or just plain admiring.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The room smelled strongly of cedar, which came from an oval soaking tub at the center of the bathroom.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Its elongated, oval shape suggests the asteroid hit at an angle rather than head-on.

Read more on Science Daily

Related Words

• elliptical