A gazelle is a graceful African or Asian antelope known for its incredible speed and elegant leaps. Gazelles are medium-sized animals with tan or reddish-brown coats, white underbellies, and slender legs built for running. When threatened by predators like lions or cheetahs, gazelles can sprint up to 60 miles per hour and perform a distinctive bouncing leap called pronking or stotting, where they spring high into the air with all four legs stiff.

These animals live in herds on grasslands and savannas, grazing on grasses and leaves. Their large, dark eyes give them excellent vision to spot danger from far away, and their light build makes them remarkably nimble. While cheetahs are faster in short bursts, gazelles can escape by making sudden, sharp turns that larger predators can't match.

The word gazelle has become a metaphor for grace and speed. When someone moves like a gazelle, they're moving with fluid, effortless elegance. A basketball player weaving through defenders or a dancer gliding across a stage might be described as gazelle-like.