oval
OH-vuhl
Oval (noun) means a rounded, elongated shape like an egg or a flattened circle. Example: “Cut the dough into an oval about the length of your hand.”
noun
1
A rounded, elongated shape like an egg or a flattened circle.
"Cut the dough into an oval about the length of your hand."
"She drew an oval and added two dots for eyes."
"The mirror had a smooth oval frame."
2
A sports ground or arena built in this shape.
"We watched the football on Saturday afternoon at the oval near the river."
"Children trained on the oval every Thursday after school."
"The cricket match was played at the local oval."
adj
1
Shaped like an oval.
"The oval window let soft light into the hallway."
"He chose an oval plate to serve the fish."
"The table had an oval top instead of a round one."
How to use oval
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn egg-like rounded shape, longer than it is wide.
Common pairings
oval shape
oval face
oval table
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like oval.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- ovals
- Comparative
- more oval
- Superlative
- most oval
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Cut the dough into an _____ about the length of your hand.
Etymology
From Late Latin ovalis, "egg-shaped," from ovum, "egg."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for oval
See all rhymes for oval →Frequently asked questions
What does “oval” mean?
The word “oval” means a rounded, elongated shape like an egg or a flattened circle. In plain terms, an egg-like rounded shape, longer than it is wide.
How do you pronounce “oval”?
“Oval” is pronounced OH-vuhl (/ˈoʊvəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “oval” in a sentence?
Here is “oval” used in a sentence: “She drew an oval and added two dots for eyes.”
What is another word for “oval”?
Words with a similar meaning to “oval” include ovular, ovoid, ovate, ovaline, elliptical and egg-shaped.
What part of speech is “oval”?
Depending on how it is used, “oval” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “oval” come from?
The word “oval” comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin ovalis, "egg-shaped," from ovum, "egg.".
Is “oval” a common word?
“Oval” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “oval” have?
“Oval” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a rounded, elongated shape like an egg or a flattened circle.
What is the difference between an oval and an ellipse?
An ellipse is a precise mathematical curve defined by a fixed rule, while an oval is an everyday term for any rounded, elongated shape like an egg or a flattened circle. Every ellipse can be described as oval, but many ovals, such as egg shapes that are wider at one end, are not true ellipses.
What is the difference between an oval and a circle?
A circle is perfectly round, with every point on its edge the same distance from the center. An oval is elongated or flattened rather than perfectly round, resembling an egg or a stretched circle.
Why are some sports grounds called ovals?
A sports ground or arena built in a rounded, elongated shape is called an oval. The term is especially common in cricket and Australian rules football, where a ground is often known simply as "the oval."
Is an oval a 2D or 3D shape?
In careful usage, oval describes a flat, two-dimensional shape, while a three-dimensional egg shape is called ovoid. In everyday speech, however, oval is often applied loosely to solid objects as well, as in "an oval pebble."
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include oval:
