oryx

noun

ˈȯr-iks 

ˈär-

plural oryx or oryxes

: any of a small genus (Oryx) of large heavily built African and Arabian antelopes that have a light-colored coat with dark conspicuous markings especially on the face compare gemsbok

Illustration of oryx

Examples of oryx in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

At dinner a jackal, smelling oryx steak, came right up to our table and looked with soft-eyed longing at the food, like a beloved pet. —Aatish Taseer, Travel + Leisure, 13 Oct. 2025

Browse the Collection The Kalahari gemsbok or giant oryx is a big tough antelope about the size of a spike bull elk and with long, straight, very sharp horns. —Jack O'Connor, Outdoor Life, 24 Sep. 2025

Here, guests will meet their dedicated trackers to embark on a captivating nature drive, keeping a keen eye out for desert elephants, oryx, zebra and springbok. —Emese MacZko, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025

Arriving via Rolls-Royce, Brandon also plays a round of night golf, oryx grazing nearby under the spotlights. —Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 3 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, a gazelle, from Greek, pickax, antelope, kind of whale, from oryssein to dig; akin to Latin runcare to grub up, weed, Sanskrit luñcati he plucks

First Known Use

1535, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for oryx

• combinatorics
• rhetorics

Kids Definition

oryx

noun

ˈōr-iks 

ˈȯr-,

ˈär-

plural oryx or oryxes

: any of several African antelopes having long horns that are straight or that curve backward