oval

1 of 2

noun

ˈō-vəl How to pronounce oval (audio)
Synonyms of ovalnext
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 How to pronounce oval (audio)
noun
ovally
ˈō-və-lē How to pronounce oval (audio)
adverb
ovalness noun

Synonyms of oval

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Adjective

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Clams have the most symmetrical of shells, which are neatly rounded or oval in shape, with each half approximately equal in size. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Aug. 2026 In a long oval at the center of the grounds, women in jingle dresses moved across the grass with light, quick steps to the sound of a steady, thumping drum. — Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
Adjective
Starting this month, the spooky treats will return to store shelves, though without any changes to their smooth, oval shapes. — Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for oval

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of oval was in 1561

Phrases Containing oval

Browse Nearby Words

ova
oval
ovalbumin
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Cite this Entry

“Oval.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oval. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

oval

1 of 2 noun
ˈō-vəl How to pronounce oval (audio)
: 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"

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