How Do You Spell ELEPHANT?

Pronunciation: [ˈɛlɪfənt] (IPA)

The spelling of the English word "Elephant" is fairly straightforward. It starts with the letter "E," followed by the letter "L," pronounced as /ɛl/. The next three letters are the letters "E," "P," and "H," pronounced as /ɛ/, /p/, and /h/ respectively. Finally, the word ends with the letters "A," "N," and "T," pronounced as /æ/, /n/, and /t/. Overall, "Elephant" is a simple word to spell and say, and the word's meaning refers to the largest land animal in the world.

Meaning and Definition
Top Common Misspellings
Other Common Misspellings
Etymology
Idioms
Similar spelling words
Plural
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ELEPHANT Meaning and Definition

  1. An elephant is a large and formidable mammal that belongs to the family Elephantidae. It is widely recognized for its distinctive physical traits, including its long, curved tusks, a prehensile trunk, and large, fan-shaped ears. Elephants are known to be the largest living land animals. They have a thick, grayish skin that provides protection against the harsh elements, and their bodies are supported by thick, sturdy legs.

    These herbivorous creatures primarily inhabit the savannahs, forests, and grasslands of Africa and Asia. They exhibit a highly social behavior and live in close-knit herds led by a matriarch. Renowned for their incredible intelligence and complex social structures, elephants are capable of establishing strong emotional bonds with each other.

    The trunk, a unique characteristic of elephants, is a versatile extension of their upper lip and nose. It is utilized for various essential functions such as breathing, grasping, drinking, and producing a vast range of sounds for communication purposes. Male elephants, known as bulls, have long, curved tusks used for defense, battling for dominance, and digging for food.

    Due to their sheer size and strength, elephants have become symbolic figures in many cultures, often signifying power, wisdom, and loyalty. Unfortunately, these magnificent creatures face numerous threats to their survival, primarily caused by human activities such as habitat destruction, poaching for ivory, and illegal hunting. Consequently, elephants are now considered an endangered species, and conservation efforts are critical to protect this iconic animal for future generations.

  2. The name of a well-known animal.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for ELEPHANT *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for ELEPHANT

Etymology of ELEPHANT

The word "elephant" comes from the Ancient Greek word "elephas" (genitive "elephantos"), which was derived from the Sanskrit word "ibhá-" or "ibhás-", meaning "elephant". This Sanskrit term is also related to other ancient languages such as Old Persian ("aubam") and Hittite ("hupant"). In Greek, the word "elephas" referred to both the living animal and ivory. From Greek, the word was then adopted by Latin as "elephantus" and subsequently passed into various European languages.

Idioms with the word ELEPHANT

  • an elephant in the room The idiom "an elephant in the room" refers to a glaring or obvious issue, problem, or topic that everyone is aware of but deliberately avoids discussing. It signifies a sensitive or uncomfortable subject that is being ignored, often due to the discomfort it may cause or the desire to avoid conflict.
  • elephant in the room The idiom "elephant in the room" refers to an obvious problem or issue that people are aware of but choose not to address or discuss. It can refer to a sensitive topic or an uncomfortable truth that is being avoided or ignored within a group or situation. The idiom highlights the refusal to acknowledge something that is clearly present and significant.
  • the elephant in the room "The elephant in the room" is an idiom that refers to an obvious, glaring issue or problem that everyone is aware of, but nobody wants to acknowledge or discuss openly. It typically implies a situation where a certain topic or problem is being avoided or ignored due to its sensitive, uncomfortable, or potentially controversial nature.
  • the elephant in the corner The idiom "the elephant in the corner" refers to an obvious problem or issue that everyone is aware of, yet no one wants to acknowledge or address. It represents a topic or subject that is uncomfortable, sensitive, or difficult to discuss, causing discomfort or tension when it is ignored.
  • elephant ears The idiom "elephant ears" typically refers to a type of fried dough pastry that is shaped like the ears of an elephant.
  • see the elephant The idiom "see the elephant" typically means experiencing or facing something challenging, difficult, or dangerous. It is often used to describe encountering a significant and potentially life-changing event or situation. The origin of this idiom can be traced back to the mid-19th century when it was commonly used by soldiers to refer to the hardships and dangers of war, specifically during the American Civil War.
  • an elephant never forgets The idiom "an elephant never forgets" means that elephants have exceptional memories and can remember things for a long time. It is often used to describe someone who has a remarkable ability to remember past events or details.
  • white elephant The idiom "white elephant" refers to an expensive or valuable possession, usually an item or property, that is difficult to sell, maintain, or dispose of due to its high cost or lack of usefulness. It often implies that the possession is more of a burden or liability than an asset.
  • a white elephant The idiom "a white elephant" refers to something that is expensive, burdensome, and difficult to maintain or get rid of, often used to describe an object or property that is of little or no use and becomes a financial or practical liability.
  • have a memory like an elephant The idiom "have a memory like an elephant" means to have an exceptionally strong or remarkable memory. It suggests that someone is able to remember and recall things with great accuracy and detail, similar to how elephants are often associated with having long-lasting memories.
  • elephant ear "Elephant ear" is a term used to describe a large, flat, and flappy pastry that is typically made from sweet dough and fried. It is named "elephant ear" because of its resemblance to the shape of an elephant's ear.

Similar spelling words for ELEPHANT

Plural form of ELEPHANT is ELEPHANTS

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