gazelle

[guh-zel]

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.

gazelle

/ 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 )

Other Word Forms

• gazellelike adjective
• gazelle-like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gazelle¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of gazelle¹

C17: from Old French, from Arabic ghazāl

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.

Read more on 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.

Read more on Science Daily

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

Read more on 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.

Read more on New York Times

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

Read more on BBC