1. A form of lyric poetry originating in Arabic and widely used in Persian, Urdu, and other Islamic literatures, typically consisting of rhyming couplets and a refrain, with each line capable of standing alone.
Usage: Also spelled 'ghazel' or 'gazel'; Literary and cultural term; Often associated with themes of love, loss, and longing

Examples

• The poet composed a ghazal in the classical Persian style.
• Each couplet in the ghazal expresses a complete thought or emotion.
• Ghazals have been performed as both written poetry and sung music.
• The ghazal form allows for great flexibility in subject matter and tone.
• Contemporary poets continue to write ghazals in English and other modern languages.