Oval vs. Round — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 12, 2024
Oval shapes are elongated, resembling an egg, while round shapes are perfectly circular, with equal radius throughout.
Difference Between Oval and Round
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Oval shapes are characterized by their elongated, curved form, similar to an ellipse. They are defined by having one axis longer than the other, which creates a stretched appearance. Ovals are often found in nature, architecture, and everyday objects, such as eggs, racetracks, and mirrors. On the other hand, round shapes are defined by their symmetry and equal distance from the center to any point on the perimeter, creating a perfect circle. Round shapes are ubiquitous, from celestial bodies like the moon and planets to man-made objects like coins and wheels.
In design and aesthetics, oval shapes offer a sense of elegance and dynamism due to their elongated curves. They can create a perception of movement and continuity, making them popular in design elements that aim to convey fluidity and grace. Conversely, round shapes are often associated with completeness, unity, and harmony. Their perfect symmetry conveys balance and is commonly used in design to create a sense of stability and wholeness.
The shape of an object can significantly influence its use. Oval tracks, for example, are designed to accommodate high-speed races by allowing for a natural acceleration-deceleration cycle, leveraging the elongated straight sections for speed and the curved sections for slowing down. In contrast, round objects, such as balls, are ideal for sports and activities that require uniform behavior in all directions, ensuring predictability and fairness in movement.
Spatial efficiency is another aspect where these shapes differ. Oval-shaped tables or rooms can offer more efficient use of space in certain contexts, allowing for easier movement around them and facilitating better flow in interior design. Round shapes, while offering a compact and efficient design in many applications, might not always maximize space usage in settings where fitting multiple objects closely together is desired, such as seating arrangements or storage solutions.
In symbolism and cultural significance, oval shapes can represent rebirth and renewal, reminiscent of an egg, a universal symbol of life's origins. They can evoke a sense of mystery and potential. Round shapes, embodying infinity and wholeness, are often used to symbolize unity, completeness, and the cycle of life, evident in symbols like the circle of life and the Buddhist wheel of Dharma.
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Comparison Chart
Shape
Elongated, resembling an ellipse
Perfectly circular, with equal radius throughout
Design Implication
Conveys elegance, dynamism, and fluidity
Represents completeness, unity, and harmony
Functionality
Suited for designs that benefit from elongation, like tracks
Ideal for objects requiring uniform behavior, like balls
Spatial Efficiency
Can offer more efficient space use in certain contexts
May not maximize space usage in specific arrangements
Symbolism
Often represents rebirth, renewal, and potential
Symbolizes unity, completeness, and the cycle of life
Compare with Definitions
Oval
An elongated circular shape, wider in one direction.
The oval mirror added a touch of elegance to the room.
Round
A shape with all points equidistant from the center.
The round clock was a perfect circle on the wall.
Oval
Suited for designs emphasizing movement.
The race track's oval shape facilitated higher speeds.
Round
Ideal for objects needing predictable movement.
The round ball was essential for the fairness of the game.
Oval
Efficient in certain spatial arrangements.
Oval plates allowed for more dishes on the holiday table.
Round
Symbolizes wholeness and the cycle of life.
The round pendant represented her belief in eternal life.
Oval
Offers a sense of grace and continuity.
The designer chose an oval table to enhance the room's flow.
Round
May not always be space-efficient.
The round containers wasted space in the square cupboard.
Oval
Represents rebirth and potential.
The oval locket was a symbol of new beginnings for her.
Round
Conveys balance and unity in design.
The round table fostered a sense of equality among the guests.
Oval
An oval (from Latin ovum, "egg") is a closed curve in a plane which resembles the outline of an egg. The term is not very specific, but in some areas (projective geometry, technical drawing, etc.) it is given a more precise definition, which may include either one or two axes of symmetry of an ellipse.
Round
Being such that every part of the surface or the circumference is equidistant from the center
A round ball.
Oval
Having a rounded and slightly elongated outline or shape like that of an egg
Her smooth oval face
Round
Moving in or forming a circle.
Oval
A body, object, or design with an oval shape or outline
Cut out two small ovals from the felt
Round
Shaped like a cylinder; cylindrical.
Oval
Resembling an egg in shape.
Round
Rather rounded in shape
The child's round face.
Oval
Resembling an ellipse in shape; elliptical.
Round
Full in physique; plump
A round figure.
Oval
An egg-shaped or elliptical form or figure.
Round
(Linguistics) Formed or articulated with the lips in a rounded shape
A round vowel.
Oval
An elliptical track, as for racing or athletic events.
Round
Full in tone; sonorous.
Oval
An elongated round shape resembling an egg or ellipse. Category:en:Curves
Round
Whole or complete; full
A round dozen.
Oval
A thing having such a shape, such as an arena.
Round
(Mathematics) Having been rounded.
Oval
(math) In a projective plane, a set of points such that no three are collinear and there is a unique tangent line at each point.
Round
Not exact, especially when expressed as a multiple of 10; approximate
A round estimate.
Oval
(AU) A sports field, typically but not exclusively oval in shape.
Round
Large; considerable
A round sum of money.
Oval
Having the shape of an oval.
Round
Brought to satisfactory conclusion or completion; finished.
Oval
Of or pertaining to an ovum.
Oval conceptions
Round
Outspoken; blunt
A round scolding.
Oval
Of or pertaining to eggs; done in the egg, or inception; as, oval conceptions.
Round
Done with full force; unrestrained
Gave me a round thrashing.
Oval
Having the figure of an egg; oblong and curvilinear, with one end broader than the other, or with both ends of about the same breadth; in popular usage, elliptical.
Round
Something, such as a circle, disk, globe, or ring, that is round.
Oval
Broadly elliptical.
Round
A circle formed of various things.
Oval
A body or figure in the shape of an egg, or popularly, of an ellipse.
Round
Movement around a circle or about an axis.
Oval
A closed plane curve resulting from the intersection of a circular cone and a plane cutting completely through it;
The sums of the distances from the foci to any point on an ellipse is constant
Round
A rung or crossbar, as one on a ladder or chair.
Oval
Rounded like an egg
Round
A cut of beef from the part of the thigh between the rump and the shank.
Round
An assembly of people; a group.
Round
A round dance.
Round
A complete course, succession, or series
A round of parties.
A round of negotiations.
Round
Often rounds A course of customary or prescribed actions, duties, or places
Physicians' rounds.
Round
A complete range or extent.
Round
One drink for each person in a gathering or group
Let me buy the next round.
Round
A single outburst, as of applause or cheering.
Round
A single shot or volley.
Round
Ammunition for a single shot or volley.
Round
A specified number of arrows shot from a specified distance to a target in archery.
Round
Sports & Games A unit of play that occupies a specified time, constitutes a certain number of plays, or allows each player a turn, especially the 18-hole sequence played in golf or one of the periods in a boxing match.
Round
(Music) A composition for two or more voices in which each voice enters at a different time with the same melody.
Round
To make round or curved
Rounded his lips in surprise.
Rounded off the end of the board.
Round
(Linguistics) To pronounce with rounded lips; labialize.
Round
To fill out; make plump.
Round
To bring to completion or perfection; finish. Often used with out or off
The new dog rounded out our household. The speaker rounded off his lecture with a joke.
Round
(Mathematics) To approximate (a real number) by a nearby rational number with a specified level of precision. When rounded to the nearest hundred, 286 becomes 300. When rounded to the nearest tenth, 1.63 becomes 1.6.
Round
To make a turn about or to the other side of
Rounded a bend in the road.
Round
To make a complete circuit of; go or pass around
Rounded the entire peninsula.
Round
(Archaic) To encompass; surround:
Round
To become round or curved.
Round
To take a circular course; complete or partially complete a circuit
Racecars rounding into the final lap.
Round
To turn about, as on an axis
Rounded and came back across the field.
Round
To become filled out or plump.
Round
To develop into satisfactory completion or perfection
Is rounding into a fine quarterback.
Round
To whisper.
Round
In a circular progression or movement; around.
Round
With revolutions
Wheels moving round.
Round
To a specific place or person
Called round for the pastor.
Sent round for the veterinarian.
Round
Around.
Round
From the beginning to the end of; throughout
A plant that grows round the year.
Round
(physical) Of shape:
Round
Circular or cylindrical; having a circular cross-section in one direction.
We sat at a round table to make conversation easier.
Round
Spherical; shaped like a ball; having a circular cross-section in more than one direction.
The ancient Egyptian demonstrated that the Earth is round, not flat.
Round
Lacking sharp angles; having gentle curves.
Our child's bed has round corners for safety.
Round
Plump.
Round
Complete, whole, not lacking.
The baker sold us a round dozen.
Round
(of a number) Convenient for rounding other numbers to; for example, ending in a zero.
One hundred is a nice round number.
Round
(phonetics) Pronounced with the lips drawn together; rounded.
Round
Outspoken; plain and direct; unreserved; not mincing.
A round answer; a round oath
Round
Finished; polished; not defective or abrupt; said of authors or their writing style.
Round
Consistent; fair; just; applied to conduct.
Round
Large in magnitude.
Round
Well-written and well-characterized; complex and reminiscent of a real person.
Round
(architecture) Vaulted.
Round
A circular or spherical object or part of an object.
Round
A circular or repetitious route.
Hospital rounds
The prison guards have started their nightly rounds.
Round
A general outburst from a group of people at an event.
The candidate got a round of applause after every sentence or two.
Round
A song that is sung by groups of people with each subset of people starting at a different time.
Round
A serving of something; a portion of something to each person in a group.
They brought us a round of drinks about every thirty minutes.
Round
A single individual portion or dose of medicine.
Round
One sandwich (two full slices of bread with filling).
Round
(art) A long-bristled, circular-headed paintbrush used in oil and acrylic painting.
Round
A firearm cartridge, bullet, or any individual ammunition projectile. Originally referring to the spherical projectile ball of a smoothbore firearm. Compare round shot and solid shot.
Round
(sports) One of the specified pre-determined segments of the total time of a sport event, such as a boxing or wrestling match, during which contestants compete before being signaled to stop.
Round
A stage, level, set of events in a game
Round
(sports) A stage in a competition.
Qualifying rounds of the championship
Round
(sports) In some sports, e.g. golf or showjumping: one complete way around the course.
Round
(video games) A stage or level of a game.
Round
(cards) The play after each deal.
Round
A rounded relief or cut at an edge, especially an outside edge, added for a finished appearance and to soften sharp edges.
Round
A strip of material with a circular face that covers an edge, gap, or crevice for decorative, sanitary, or security purposes.
All furniture in the nursery had rounds on the edges and in the crevices.
Round
(butchery) The hindquarters of a bovine.
Round
(dated) A rung, as of a ladder.
Round
A crosspiece that joins and braces the legs of a chair.
Round
A series of changes or events ending where it began; a series of like events recurring in continuance; a cycle; a periodical revolution.
The round of the seasons
A round of pleasures
Round
A course of action or conduct performed by a number of persons in turn, or one after another, as if seated in a circle.
Round
A series of duties or tasks which must be performed in turn, and then repeated.
Round
A circular dance.
Round
Rotation, as in office; succession.
Round
A general discharge of firearms by a body of troops in which each soldier fires once.
Round
An assembly; a group; a circle.
A round of politicians
Round
A brewer's vessel in which the fermentation is concluded, the yeast escaping through the bunghole.
Round
(archaic) A vessel filled, as for drinking.
Round
(nautical) A round-top.
Round
A round of beef.
Round
A whisper; whispering.
Round
Discourse; song.
Round
Alternative form of around
I look round the room quickly to make sure it's neat.
Round
Alternative form of around
Round
(transitive) To shape something into a curve.
The carpenter rounded the edges of the table.
Round
(intransitive) To become shaped into a curve.
Round
(with "out") To finish; to complete; to fill out.
She rounded out her education with only a single mathematics class.
Round
(intransitive) To approximate a number, especially a decimal number by the closest whole number.
Ninety-five rounds up to one hundred.
Round
(transitive) To turn past a boundary.
Helen watched him until he rounded the corner.
Round
(intransitive) To turn and attack someone or something (used with on).
As a group of policemen went past him, one of them rounded on him, grabbing him by the arm.
Round
To advance to home plate.
And the runners round the bases on the double by Jones.
Round
(transitive) To go round, pass, go past.
Round
To encircle; to encompass.
Round
To grow round or full; hence, to attain to fullness, completeness, or perfection.
Round
To do ward rounds.
Round
To go round, as a guard; to make the rounds.
Round
To go or turn round; to wheel about.
Round
To speak in a low tone; whisper; speak secretly; take counsel.
Round
To address or speak to in a whisper, utter in a whisper.
Round
To whisper.
The Bishop of Glasgow rounding in his ear, "Ye are not a wise man," . . . he rounded likewise to the bishop, and said, "Wherefore brought ye me here?"
Round
To make circular, spherical, or cylindrical; to give a round or convex figure to; as, to round a silver coin; to round the edges of anything.
Worms with many feet, which round themselves into balls, are bred chiefly under logs of timber.
The figures on our modern medals are raised and rounded to a very great perfection.
Round
To surround; to encircle; to encompass.
The inclusive vergeOf golden metal that must round my brow.
Round
To bring to fullness or completeness; to complete; hence, to bring to a fit conclusion.
We are such stuffAs dreams are made on, and our little lifeIs rounded with a sleep.
Round
To go round wholly or in part; to go about (a corner or point); as, to round a corner; to round Cape Horn.
Round
To make full, smooth, and flowing; as, to round periods in writing.
Round
To grow round or full; hence, to attain to fullness, completeness, or perfection.
The queen your mother rounds apace.
So rounds he to a separate mind,From whence clear memory may begin.
Round
To go round, as a guard.
They . . . nightly rounding walk.
Round
To go or turn round; to wheel about.
Round
Having every portion of the surface or of the circumference equally distant from the center; spherical; circular; having a form approaching a spherical or a circular shape; orbicular; globular; as, a round ball.
Upon the firm opacous globeOf this round world.
Round
Having the form of a cylinder; cylindrical; as, the barrel of a musket is round.
Round
Having a curved outline or form; especially, one like the arc of a circle or an ellipse, or a portion of the surface of a sphere; rotund; bulging; protuberant; not angular or pointed; as, a round arch; round hills.
Round
Full; complete; not broken; not fractional; approximately in even units, tens, hundreds, thousands, etc.; - said of numbers.
Pliny put a round number near the truth, rather than the fraction.
Round
Not inconsiderable; large; hence, generous; free; as, a round price.
Three thousand ducats; 'tis a good round sum.
Round was their pace at first, but slackened soon.
Round
Uttered or emitted with a full tone; as, a round voice; a round note.
Round
Modified, as a vowel, by contraction of the lip opening, making the opening more or less round in shape; rounded; labialized; labial. See Guide to Pronunciation, 11.
Round
Outspoken; plain and direct; unreserved; unqualified; not mincing; as, a round answer; a round oath.
Sir Toby, I must be round with you.
Round
Full and smoothly expanded; not defective or abrupt; finished; polished; - said of style, or of authors with reference to their style.
In his satires Horace is quick, round, and pleasant.
Round
Complete and consistent; fair; just; - applied to conduct.
Round dealing is the honor of man's nature.
Round
Anything round, as a circle, a globe, a ring. "The golden round" [the crown].
In labyrinth of many a round self-rolled.
Round
A series of changes or events ending where it began; a series of like events recurring in continuance; a cycle; a periodical revolution; as, the round of the seasons; a round of pleasures.
Round
A course ending where it began; a circuit; a beat; especially, one freguently or regulary traversed; also, the act of traversing a circuit; as, a watchman's round; the rounds of the postman.
Round
A series of duties or tasks which must be performed in turn, and then repeated.
The trivial round, the common task.
Round
One work cycle, consisting of drilling blast holes, loading them with explosive, blasting, mucking out, and, if necessary, installing temporary support.
. . . Inco is still much more advanced than other mining companies. He says that the LKAB mine in Sweden is the closest rival. He predicts that, by 2008, Inco can reach a new productivity plateau, doubling the current mining productivity from 3,350 tonnes to 6,350 tonnes per person per year. Another aim is to triple the mine cycle rate (the time to drill, blast and muck a round) from one cycle to three complete cycles per 24 hours.
Round
A course of action or conduct performed by a number of persons in turn, or one after another, as if seated in a circle.
Women to cards may be compared: we playA round or two; which used, we throw away.
The feast was served; the bowl was crowned;To the king's pleasure went the mirthful round.
Round
A complete set of plays in a game or contest covering a standard number of individual plays or parts; as, a round of golf; a round of tennis.
Round
One set of games in a tournament.
Round
The time during which prize fighters or boxers are in actual contest without an intermission, as prescribed by their rules; a bout.
Round
A circular dance.
Come, knit hands, and beat the ground,In a light fantastic round.
Round
That which goes round a whole circle or company; as, a round of applause.
Round
Rotation, as in office; succession.
Round
The step of a ladder; a rundle or rung; also, a crosspiece which joins and braces the legs of a chair.
All the rounds like Jacob's ladder rise.
Round
A walk performed by a guard or an officer round the rampart of a garrison, or among sentinels, to see that the sentinels are faithful and all things safe; also, the guard or officer, with his attendants, who performs this duty; - usually in the plural.
Round
A short vocal piece, resembling a catch in which three or four voices follow each other round in a species of canon in the unison.
Round
A brewer's vessel in which the fermentation is concluded, the yeast escaping through the bunghole.
Round
A vessel filled, as for drinking; as, to drink a round od ale together.
Round
An assembly; a group; a circle; as, a round of politicians.
Round
See Roundtop.
Round
Same as Round of beef, below.
Worm-eaten gentlemen of the round, such as have vowed to sit on the skirts of the city, let your provost and his half dozen of halberdiers do what they can.
Round
On all sides; around.
Round he throws his baleful eyes.
Round
Circularly; in a circular form or manner; by revolving or reversing one's position; as, to turn one's head round; a wheel turns round.
Round
In circumference; as, a ball is ten inches round.
Round
From one side or party to another; as to come or turn round, - that is, to change sides or opinions.
Round
By or in a circuit; by a course longer than the direct course; back to the starting point.
Round
Through a circle, as of friends or houses.
The invitations were sent round accordingly.
Round
Roundly; fully; vigorously.
Round
On every side of, so as to encompass or encircle; around; about; as, the people atood round him; to go round the city; to wind a cable round a windlass.
The serpent Error twines round human hearts.
Round
A charge of ammunition for a single shot
Round
An interval during which a recurring sequence of events occurs;
The neverending cycle of the seasons
Round
A regular route for a sentry or policeman;
In the old days a policeman walked a beat and knew all his people by name
Round
(often plural) a series of professional calls (usually in a set order);
The doctor goes on his rounds first thing every morning
The postman's rounds
We enjoyed our round of the local bars
Round
The activity of playing 18 holes of golf;
A round of golf takes about 4 hours
Round
The usual activities in your day;
The doctor made his rounds
Round
(sports) a period of play during which one team is on the offensive
Round
The course along which communications spread;
The story is going the rounds in Washington
Round
A serving to each of a group (usually alcoholic);
He ordered a second round
Round
A cut of beef between the rump and the lower leg
Round
A partsong in which voices follow each other; one voice starts and others join in one after another until all are singing different parts of the song at the same time;
They enjoyed singing rounds
Round
An outburst of applause;
There was a round of applause
Round
A crosspiece between the legs of a chair
Round
Any circular or rotating mechanism;
The machine punched out metal circles
Round
Wind around; move along a circular course;
Round the bend
Round
Make round;
Round the edges
Round
Be around;
Developments surround the town
The river encircles the village
Round
Pronounce with rounded lips
Round
Attack in speech or writing;
The editors of the left-leaning paper attacked the new House Speaker
Round
Bring to a highly developed, finished, or refined state;
Polish your social manners
Round
Express as a round number;
Round off the amount
Round
Become round, plump, or shapely;
The young woman is fleshing out
Round
Having a circular shape
Round
(of sounds) full and rich;
Orotund tones
The rotund and reverberating phrase
Pear-shaped vowels
Round
(of numbers) to the nearest ten, hundred, or thousand;
In round numbers
Round
From beginning to end; throughout;
It rains all year round on Skye
Frigid weather the year around
Common Curiosities
What symbolism is associated with oval and round shapes?
Ovals often symbolize rebirth and potential, while round shapes symbolize unity, completeness, and the cycle of life.
Can the shape of an object affect its spatial efficiency?
Yes, oval shapes can sometimes utilize space more effectively, whereas round shapes may not maximize space in specific arrangements.
Why might a designer choose an oval shape over a round one?
To convey elegance, movement, or to make efficient use of space in certain contexts.
How do round shapes impact functionality?
They are ideal for applications requiring uniform behavior and predictability, such as in sports equipment.
Can an oval shape be considered a type of round shape?
While both are curvilinear, ovals are specifically elongated, making them distinct from perfectly round shapes.
What distinguishes an oval shape from a round shape?
An oval is elongated with two different axes, while a round shape is a perfect circle with equal radius throughout.
Are there situations where a round shape is preferred for space efficiency?
Yes, in applications where the compactness and symmetry of round shapes can optimize space, such as in storage or packaging.
Why are round balls used in most sports?
For their predictable behavior and fairness in movement, ensuring equal performance in all directions.
How do cultural perceptions of oval and round shapes vary?
Cultural interpretations can vary, but generally, ovals are seen as symbols of renewal, and round shapes as symbols of wholeness and eternity.
How do oval and round shapes influence design aesthetics?
Oval shapes add dynamism and fluidity, while round shapes bring a sense of balance and harmony to designs.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
