gazelle

noun

ga·​zelle gə-ˈzel 

plural gazelles also gazelle

: any of numerous small to medium graceful and swift African and Asian antelopes (Gazella and related genera)

Illustration of gazelle

Examples of gazelle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The other human beings his size have either been plodding trees who can barely get up the floor or rail-thin gazelles who can’t handle the G-forces their bodies generate at full speed. —Jared Weiss, New York Times, 24 May 2026

The singer envisions his fellow clubgoers as the animal kingdom — lions targeting gazelles on the savanna, etc. —Glen Weldon, NPR, 14 May 2026

There are no elephants here—but don’t be surprised to find zebras or gazelles walking across the estate. —Samantha Falewée, Travel + Leisure, 30 Apr. 2026

Herds of zebra, gazelle, antelope, and wildebeest passed by, then we were whisked into a quiet clearing where the team had set up a stunning bush lunch. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, from Middle French, from Arabic ghazāl

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing gazelle

• Grant's gazelle
• Thomson's gazelle

Rhymes for gazelle

• barbell
• bedwell
• befell
• bluebell
• bombshell
• bridewell
• capelle
• cartel
• carvel
• clamshell
• cogswell
• compel

Kids Definition

gazelle

noun

ga·​zelle gə-ˈzel 

plural gazelles also gazelle

: any of numerous small graceful swift antelopes of Africa and Asia