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

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

Each evening the hotel arranges a desert safari in a 4x4 that takes you over the sand dunes to spot the desert’s elusive oryx and native gazelles. —Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes, 6 Jan. 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