Word
elephant
Phoneticsele·phant
US/ˈɛɫəfənt/
UK/ˈɛlɪfənt/
Definitions
01the animal
A1 · Beginner Countable noun
n. a very large grey animal with a long nose called a trunk and two long white teeth called tusks.
n. a massive herbivorous mammal of the family Elephantidae, native to Africa and Asia, characterised by a long prehensile trunk and ivory tusks.
日本語:象※
“We saw a family of elephants drinking water at the river during our safari.”
“The conservation project focuses on protecting the migration corridors used by African elephants to reach seasonal water sources.”
02an ignored problem
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Informal
n. a big problem or situation that everyone knows about but no one wants to discuss.
n. an obvious truth or significant issue that is intentionally ignored or unaddressed by a group.
“The company's debt was the elephant in the room that no one mentioned at the party.”
“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'
Teaching tip
This is a very common idiomatic expression in business and social contexts; learners should use the full phrase 'the elephant in the room'.
Synonyms
03paper size
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Technology Technical
n. a specific large size of paper used for printing or drawing.
n. a traditional size of drawing or writing paper, typically measuring 23 by 28 inches.
“The artist requested a sheet of elephant paper for the large landscape sketch.”
“The archive contains several maps printed on elephant folio, preserved to maintain the fine detail of the original nineteenth-century engravings.”
Teaching tip
This is a highly specialised term in the printing and paper industry; most modern speakers will not be familiar with it.
04counting seconds
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun British English · Informal
n. a word you say between numbers when counting to make sure each count lasts one second.
n. a filler word used in rhythmic counting to approximate the passage of one second per integer.
“The children counted 'one elephant, two elephants, three elephants' while playing hide and seek.”
“To ensure the chemical reacted for exactly ten seconds, the student used the 'one elephant' method of counting.”
Teaching tip
Commonly used by children or when timing simple activities without a watch.
Etymology
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”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- A1 · BeginnerOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/elephant
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0