Definition

Shaped like an egg but with the wider end at the top and the narrower end at the bottom.

Example

The plant has obovate leaves that are easy to identify.

Conversation

Have you ever noticed how some leaves look so different from others?

Yeah, I have! Some are round, but I saw one that was obovate.

Exactly! It was kind of egg-shaped with the wider part at the top.

Those shapes can really make a garden look interesting!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Obovate → It is formed from "ob-" (meaning against or in the opposite direction) and "ovatus" (from Latin, meaning egg-shaped). The word "obovate" describes a shape that is egg-shaped but broader at the top than at the bottom, resembling an egg turned upside down.

Memory Tip

Imagine an egg that is wider at the top than the bottom — that's what obovate means, with 'ob-' suggesting the opposite direction and 'ovatus' referring to the egg shape.

Visually Confused Words