Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Rounded like an egg; oval: Having a shape that is broad and rounded at one end and narrower at the other, similar to the shape of a typical bird's egg.

Usage

The adjective "egg-shaped" is used to describe the physical form of an object. It is typically placed before the noun it modifies (attributive position) but can also follow a linking verb like "is" or "looks" (predicative position). It is a compound adjective formed from the noun "egg" and the adjective "shaped."

Examples

• The artist collected egg-shaped stones from the riverbank.
• The new building has a unique, egg-shaped dome.
• The fruit is not round; it is slightly egg-shaped.
• Many ancient sculptures feature egg-shaped heads.

Advanced Usage

• Scientific/Technical Description: Used in fields like botany, geology, and design to describe forms that are ovoid or ellipsoid.
  • The leaf is described as having an egg-shaped base.
• Comparative Use: Often used to make a shape more relatable by comparing it to a familiar object.
  • The UFO was reported to be a large, metallic, egg-shaped object.

Variants and Related Words

• Ovoid (adj.): A more formal or technical synonym for egg-shaped.
• Elliptical (adj.): Referring to a regular oval shape, like an ellipse; sometimes used interchangeably, though "elliptical" can imply a more symmetrical, mathematical curve.
• Oval (adj.): A general term for a rounded, elongated shape, similar to an egg but often more symmetrical.

Synonyms

• Ovoid
• Oval
• Elliptical
• Ellipsoid

Antonyms

• Angular
• Rectangular
• Square
• Cubic

Related Phrases and Idioms

(Note: "Egg-shaped" itself is not commonly used in idiomatic expressions. The following are related phrases using the root word "egg.") - To walk on eggshells: To be very cautious in one's actions or words to avoid upsetting someone. - A nest egg: A sum of money saved for the future. - To have egg on one's face: To be embarrassed or look foolish because of one's actions.

Adjective

1. rounded like an egg