Gazal
/ɡəˈzɑːl/noun
A variant spelling of ghazal, a short lyric poem traditionally expressing love, longing, or separation.
Did you know?The gazal’s emotional world is closely associated with Sufi poetry, where earthly longing can symbolize the soul’s desire for union with the divine.
Etymological Timeline
Medieval Arabic
Arabic
ghazal
“Love conversation or amorous discourse”
8th–10th Century
Arabic
ghazal
“A lyric form centered on love, desire, and lament”
10th–13th Century
Persian
ghazal
“A refined lyric poem, often expressing romantic or mystical longing”
13th–14th Century
Persian
ghazal
“A major poetic form associated with writers such as Saʿdi and Hafez”
18th–19th Century
Urdu
ghazal
“A prominent lyric genre of love, separation, and spiritual yearning”
Modern English
English
gazal
“A variant spelling of ghazal”