elephant — a very large grey mammal with a trunk, large ears, and tusks
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: a very large grey mammal with a trunk, large ears, and tusks
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈeləfənt/
Example Sentences
- The elephant never forgets, but I can't even remember where I put my keys!
- An elephant can weigh up to 6,000 kilograms.
- My roommate eats like an elephant but complains about grocery bills.
elephant
NOUN[/ˈeləfənt/]
a very large grey mammal with a trunk, large ears, and tusks
Image coming soon
Got the picture? Now let's practice.
🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The word derives from Ancient Greek 'elephas', originally meaning 'ivory'. The term reflects the Romans' sense of wonder upon first encountering this magnificent creature, with the name becoming synonymous with the animal itself rather than just its tusks.
Breakdown
Greek 'elephas' (ivory) → Latin 'elephantus' (the animal) → English 'elephant'. The morphological shift from Greek to Latin added the -us suffix, adapting the Greek root to Latin nominal conventions.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The elephant never forgets, but I can't even remember where I put my keys!”
“An elephant can weigh up to 6,000 kilograms.”
“My roommate eats like an elephant but complains about grocery bills.”
“The elephant gently picked up the peanut with its trunk.”
📚Related Words
Want to master 27,000+ words?
Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.