White Elephant

Pronunciation: /waɪt ˈɛlɪfənt/

Definitions of white elephant

noun an object that has no use or value to its owner but may have value to others

Example Sentences

A1 I saw a white elephant at the zoo.

A2 The white elephant in the room was impossible to ignore.

B1 The white elephant gift exchange at the office was a lot of fun.

B2 The white elephant statue in the park was a popular photo spot.

C1 The white elephant auction raised a significant amount of money for charity.

C2 The white elephant in the museum was a rare and valuable artifact.

Examples of white elephant in a Sentence

formal The company decided to sell off the white elephant property that was draining their resources.

informal That old mansion is a total white elephant - no one wants to buy it.

slang I heard that car is a real white elephant, always breaking down.

figurative Her collection of ceramic frogs is a real white elephant in the room.

Grammatical Forms of white elephant

• plural: white elephants
• comparative: whiter elephant
• superlative: whitest elephant
• present tense: is a white elephant
• future tense: will be a white elephant
• perfect tense: has been a white elephant
• continuous tense: is being a white elephant
• singular: a white elephant
• positive degree: white elephant
• infinitive: to be a white elephant
• gerund: being a white elephant
• participle: a white elephant

Origin and Evolution of white elephant

First Known Use: 1601 year

Language of Origin: Southeast Asian languages

Story behind the word: The term 'white elephant' originated in Southeast Asia, where white elephants were considered sacred and symbolic of royalty and prosperity.

Evolution of the word: Over time, the term 'white elephant' has come to refer to an expensive or burdensome possession that is difficult to get rid of, often used in the context of unwanted gifts or investments.