gazelle

American  

[guh-zel] / gəˈzɛl /

noun

PLURAL

gazelles

PLURAL

gazelle

1. any small antelope of the genus Gazella and allied genera, of Africa and Asia, noted for graceful movements and lustrous eyes.

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gazelle British  

/ ɡəˈzɛl /

noun

1. any small graceful usually fawn-coloured antelope of the genera Gazella and Procapra, of Africa and Asia, such as G. thomsoni ( Thomson's gazelle )

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Other Word Forms

• gazelle-like adjective
• gazellelike adjective

Etymology

Origin of gazelle

1575–85; < French; Old French gazel < Arabic ghazāla

Compare meaning

How does gazelle compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• antelope vs. gazelle

Example Sentences

But at certain points the height of the walls is such that the running gazelles can’t see the death pits that lay just beyond the space they are trying to flee.

From The Wall Street Journal

The engravings, which depict animals such as camels, ibex, equids, gazelles, and aurochs, include 130 highly detailed and life-sized figures, some reaching up to 3 meters long and more than 2 meters tall.

From Science Daily

The media engaged in a feeding frenzy like lions having downed a hapless gazelle.

From Salon

At the site, known as Shinfa-Metema 1, the researchers uncovered thousands of bones, some covered in cut marks, from gazelles, warthogs and even giraffes, suggesting that the humans were hunting these species.

From New York Times

She was called an "amiable anteater" with an "unbelievable nose", who resembled "a myopic gazelle".

From BBC