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

When his grandfather was mauled by a leopard caught in a trap set for an impala, however, Mgesi began to feel that the dangers of hunting wildlife outweighed its benefits for humans. — Juliet Kinsman, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 2026

Spread across 400 acres in the hills of Santa Rosa, Safari West is home to more than 900 animals, including giraffes, zebras, rhinos, flamingos, cape buffalo and impalas. — Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 21 Sep. 2026

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

Waterbucks stood tall and stately along the trail and hordes of the little Angola impalas scurried across in front of us. — Jack O'Connor, Outdoor Life, 8 July 2026

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