ovoid

American  

[oh-void] / ˈoʊ vɔɪd /

adjective

1. egg-shaped; having the solid form of an egg.

2. ovate.

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noun

1. an ovoid body.

ovoid British  

/ ˈəʊvɔɪd /

adjective

1. egg-shaped

2. botany (of a fruit or similar part) egg-shaped with the broader end at the base Compare obovoid

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noun

1. something that is ovoid

Other Word Forms

• subovoid
  adjective

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Etymology

Origin of ovoid

From the New Latin word ōvoīdēs, dating back to 1820–30. See ovi-, -oid

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Explanation

Something that's shaped like an egg is an ovoid. If you want to impress your friends, call that sculpture in the park that looks like an oval an ovoid. Ovoid can also be used as an adjective that means "egg-shaped," as in the ovoid chocolates in a box of candy. Ovoid comes from the Latin word ovum, meaning "egg." The suffix -oid means "like." When you combine those, you can easily see how ovoid came to mean "egg-like." To correctly pronounce ovoid, accent the first syllable and give it the long o sound: "OH-void."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

ovoid

Arnold was a 9-year-old boy with an elongated ovoid head who enjoyed listening to jazz fusion under the skylight of his attic bedroom.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2026

Like islands in an ocean, white ovoid outlines appeared amid the background puddle of stain—vaults.

From Science Magazine ● Jun. 6, 2024

Near the intersection of Commonwealth and Mount Vernon avenues, the neighborhood’s two biggest thoroughfares, stands “Three Eggs in Space,” an ovoid limestone art installation.

From Washington Post ● Mar. 22, 2023

It’s gotten nasty enough that Indiana Rep. Greg Pence, the former vice president’s slightly more ovoid brother, is already thinking about withdrawing his Banks endorsement.

From Slate ● Jan. 21, 2023

That was the way my mind lurched and stumbled, among the sharp R's and T's, sliding over the ovoid vowels as if on pebbles.

From "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood

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