What does "elephant" mean?

1. (the animal) a very large grey animal with a long nose called a trunk and two long white teeth called tusks. 2. (an ignored problem) a big problem or situation that everyone knows about but no one wants to discuss. 3. (paper size) a specific large size of paper used for printing or drawing. 4. (counting seconds) a word you say between numbers when counting to make sure each count lasts one second.

How do you use "elephant"?

almost always used in the idiom 'the elephant in the room'

elephant

US //ˈɛɫəfənt// UK //ˈɛlɪfənt// ele·phant

1 the animal (n.)
A1 Beginner

a very large grey animal with a long nose called a trunk and two long white teeth called tusks.

a massive herbivorous mammal of the family Elephantidae, native to Africa and Asia, characterised by a long prehensile trunk and ivory tusks.

Example

We saw a family of elephants drinking water at the river during our safari.

Example

The conservation project focuses on protecting the migration corridors used by African elephants to reach seasonal water sources.
2 an ignored problem (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

a big problem or situation that everyone knows about but no one wants to discuss.

an obvious truth or significant issue that is intentionally ignored or unaddressed by a group.

Example

The company's debt was the elephant in the room that no one mentioned at the party.

Example

During the board meeting, the CEO's recent scandals remained the elephant in the room, as everyone focused strictly on quarterly earnings.

Usage

almost always used in the idiom 'the elephant in the room'

Teacher's tip

This is a very common idiomatic expression in business and social contexts; learners should use the full phrase 'the elephant in the room'.
- taboo
- unspoken issue

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3 paper size (n.)
C2 Proficiency Technical Technical

a specific large size of paper used for printing or drawing.

a traditional size of drawing or writing paper, typically measuring 23 by 28 inches.

Example

The artist requested a sheet of elephant paper for the large landscape sketch.

Example

The archive contains several maps printed on elephant folio, preserved to maintain the fine detail of the original nineteenth-century engravings.

Teacher's tip

This is a highly specialised term in the printing and paper industry; most modern speakers will not be familiar with it.
4 counting seconds (n.)
B1 Intermediate British English Informal

a word you say between numbers when counting to make sure each count lasts one second.

a filler word used in rhythmic counting to approximate the passage of one second per integer.

Example

The children counted 'one elephant, two elephants, three elephants' while playing hide and seek.

Example

To ensure the chemical reacted for exactly ten seconds, the student used the 'one elephant' method of counting.

Teacher's tip

Commonly used by children or when timing simple activities without a watch.

Origin

From Middle English elefant, elefaunt, from Old French elefant, elefan, olifant, re-latinized in Middle French as elephant, from Latin elephantus, from Ancient Greek ἐλέφᾱς (eléphās) (gen. ἐλέφαντος (eléphantos)). Believed to be derived from an Afroasiatic form such as Proto-Berber eḷu (“elephant”) (compare Tamahaq êlu, Tamasheq alu) or Egyptian ꜣbw (“elephant; ivory”). More at ivory. Replaced Middle English olifant (from the aforementioned Old French form, from Vulgar Latin olifantus), which replaced Old English elpend (“elephant”).

Idioms3 entries