oval
/ˈəʊvl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈəʊvl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈō-vəl/ (ame, mw) · /ˈəʊ.vəl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈoʊ.vəl/ (ame, ipa)
oval — adjective
- ovalpositive
- more ovalcomparative
- most ovalsuperlative
1. having a rounded form that is longer in one direction than the other, similar to
having a rounded form that is longer in one direction than the other, similar to an egg.
Lena drew an oval window above the front door.
pattern: oval + noun
The baker placed six oval loaves on the wooden shelf.
From above, the lake looked oval in the morning sun.
An oval mirror hung beside the stairs in Grandma's hall.
The child painted an oval card for the class display.
- egg-shaped
very close in meaning, often suggesting the shape of a real egg
- elliptical
more formal and common in math or technical description
- oblong
usually longer and straighter at the sides than 'oval'
文法句型
oval + noun
be oval
look oval
用法筆記
Usually comes before nouns such as 'face', 'table', 'mirror', or 'window', but it also appears after linking verbs like 'be' and 'look'. Distinguish from noun sense 1, where 'oval' names the shape itself.
常見錯誤
oval — noun
- ovalsingular
- ovalsplural
1. a shape or object with a smooth outline that is longer than it is wide.
a shape or object with a smooth outline that is longer than it is wide.
The teacher drew a large oval on the whiteboard.
pattern: draw an oval
A small silver oval hung from Nina's necklace.
On the map, the park appeared as a green oval.
Two blue ovals marked the fish pond and the flower bed.
The cookie cutter left an oval in the soft dough.
文法句型
draw an oval
form an oval
in an oval
用法筆記
Often used after verbs such as 'draw', 'make', 'form', and 'leave'. Distinguish from sense 2, which refers to a sports place built in this shape.
常見錯誤
2. a sports field, race track, or stadium built in a long rounded shape.
a sports field, race track, or stadium built in a long rounded shape.
Fans filled the oval before the school football final.
sports ground: the oval
Joggers were already circling the oval at sunrise.
The coach asked the team to run two laps around the oval.
A food stand opened beside the oval during the weekend match.
Rain turned the oval into a muddy field by noon.
文法句型
at the oval
around the oval
run laps around the oval
用法筆記
Common after prepositions such as 'at', 'around', and 'beside', especially when talking about school games or racing. Distinguish from sense 1, where 'oval' means the shape itself, not the place.