impala

noun

im·​pa·​la im-ˈpa-lə  -ˈpä- 

plural impalas or impala

: a large brownish antelope (Aepyceros melampus) of southeastern Africa that in the male has slender curved horns with ridges

Illustration of impala

Did you know?

A swift-running, graceful antelope, the impala is found in large herds, usually near water, on the savannas and open woodlands of central and southern Africa. Impalas are noted for their jumping ability: when alarmed, they bound off in leaps up to 30 ft (9m) long and 10 ft (3m) high. Lightly built, the impala stands 30-40 in (75-100 cm) high at the shoulder. It has a golden to reddish brown coat, white underparts, a vertical black stripe on each thigh, and a black tuft behind each hind foot. The male has long, lyre-shaped horns.

Examples of impala in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Elephants, hippos, buffalo, giraffes, gazelles, zebras, impalas and warthogs — all roaming free just a stone’s throw from our dusty 4×4 in Kenya’s Tsavo East National Park. —David Dickstein, Oc Register, 18 Mar. 2026

Upon arrival, expect a warm welcome: ice cold citrus and farm mint coolers, impalas grazing nearby, and the sounds of drumming and birdsongs in the air. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Mar. 2026

Grazers—zebras, giraffes, impalas, warthogs, and more—soon follow, benefiting from the elephants’ labor. —Nicholas Derenzo, Travel + Leisure, 13 Jan. 2026

So, an impala who’s afraid of getting eaten by a lion can only learn to avoid the lion by getting chased by it. —Julian Sancton, HollywoodReporter, 17 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Zulu

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for impala

• cabala
• corolla
• kabbalah
• kamala
• koala
• masala
• oglala
• allah
• bala
• cala
• cholla
• mala

Kids Definition

impala

noun

im·​pa·​la im-ˈpal-ə  -ˈpäl- 

: a large brownish African antelope that in the male has slender curving horns

Etymology

from the name in Zulu, an African language