gazelle

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Gazelle, antelope, springbok, and impala all refer to hoofed mammals, but gazelle is the narrowest term — it refers specifically to slender, swift animals of the genera Gazella and related genera, found in Africa and Asia. Antelope is the broadest category, covering many species including gazelles, impalas, and springboks. Springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) is a particular South African antelope known for its stiff-legged leaping display, called 'pronking.' Impala are medium-sized African antelopes with curved horns, similar in size to gazelles but stockier and found only in Africa. To choose correctly: if you mean the graceful, fast-running animal with dark eyes often seen on the African savanna, 'gazelle' is the precise word. For a more general reference, 'antelope' works across many species.

Common collocations

Etymology

Gazelle entered English in the early 1600s from French 'gazelle.' The French word came from Middle French, ultimately tracing back to Arabic 'ghazāl' (غزال). In Arabic literature the gazelle was a traditional symbol of female beauty, and the same root gave rise to 'ghazal,' a poetic form that often used the gazelle as a motif.