antelope: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to Formal; common in natural history, wildlife contexts, and general writing.
Quick answer
What does “antelope” mean?
A swift, grazing mammal with horns and a slender build, belonging to the family Bovidae, found primarily in Africa and Asia.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A swift, grazing mammal with horns and a slender build, belonging to the family Bovidae, found primarily in Africa and Asia.
The word can be used generically to refer to any fleet-footed, horned ungulate resembling the typical antelope, or metaphorically to describe grace, speed, or a wild, untamed quality.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling and pronunciation follow standard national patterns.
Connotations
Identical connotations of speed, grace, and the wild.
Frequency
Similar frequency, slightly elevated in both regions due to nature documentaries and wildlife content.
Grammar
How to Use “antelope” in a Sentence
The [adjective] antelope [verb] across the plain.We observed [number] [type] antelope.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “antelope” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Extremely rare) 'The poachers sought to antelope in the reserve.' (non-standard)
American English
- (Extremely rare) 'He tried to antelope his way through the crowd.' (non-standard)
adverb
British English
- (Virtually non-existent) 'He ran antelope-quick.' (poetic/compound)
American English
- (Virtually non-existent) 'She moved antelope-fast.' (poetic/compound)
adjective
British English
- 'The fabric had an antelope-skin texture.'
- 'She moved with antelope grace.'
American English
- 'He bought antelope-hide boots.'
- 'The quarterback made an antelope-like dash.'
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used, except in brand names (e.g., Antelope Audio) or tourism.
Academic
Common in biology, zoology, ecology, and conservation texts.
Everyday
Used in general conversation about animals, nature documentaries, or travel.
Technical
Specific in zoological classification (family Bovidae, subfamilies Antilopinae, Hippotraginae, etc.).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “antelope”
- Using 'deer' for African/Asian species. Incorrectly capitalising (not a proper noun). Mispronouncing /æn.tɪ.ləʊp/ as /ˈæn.ə.loʊp/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While both are hoofed mammals, they belong to different families. Deer belong to Cervidae and have branched antlers they shed, while antelopes are in Bovidae and have permanent, unbranched horns.
All gazelles are antelopes, but not all antelopes are gazelles. 'Gazelle' refers to specific genera within the antelope group, typically smaller and known for extreme speed and leaping.
No, it is not a standard verb. Any verbal use is highly poetic, non-standard, or jargon-specific (e.g., in hunting contexts).
Confusing it with 'deer' due to similar appearances. It's important to associate 'antelope' primarily with Africa and Asia, and with permanent horns, not shed antlers.
A swift, grazing mammal with horns and a slender build, belonging to the family Bovidae, found primarily in Africa and Asia.
Antelope is usually neutral to formal; common in natural history, wildlife contexts, and general writing. in register.
Antelope: in British English it is pronounced /ˈæn.tɪ.ləʊp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈæn.t̬əl.oʊp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Rare] To have the heart of an antelope (to be timid).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'ANTs eLOPE away' – imagine ants running as fast as an antelope.
Conceptual Metaphor
SPEED IS AN ANTELOPE (e.g., 'He ran like an antelope'). GRACE/AGILITY IS AN ANTELOPE.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a specific type of antelope?