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.

---

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 )

---

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

During closing arguments in the Los Angeles case a week and a half ago, Mark Lanier, an attorney representing Kaley, compared the companies to a lion preying on a herd of gazelle on the Serengeti.

From The Wall Street Journal

The horned head of a stuffed gazelle had been knocked from its mount and was left sitting on the couch.

From Los Angeles Times

A small gazelle dropped her pencil case and started crying.

From Literature

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