elephant ear: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
mediumneutral (core); informal/specialised (botanical & culinary)
Quick answer
What does “elephant ear” mean?
The large, floppy ear of an elephant (Loxodonta africana or Elephas maximus).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The large, floppy ear of an elephant (Loxodonta africana or Elephas maximus).
1. A common name for various plants in the genera Alocasia, Colocasia, and Caladium, characterized by large, often heart-shaped leaves resembling an elephant's ear. 2. A flat, fried dough pastry, often sprinkled with cinnamon sugar, shaped to resemble the ear.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The plant meaning is common in both. The fried pastry meaning is significantly more prevalent in American English, often associated with state fairs and theme parks. In British English, a similar pastry might be called a 'palmier' or simply 'fried dough'.
Connotations
In AmE, 'elephant ear' (pastry) connotes casual, indulgent festival food. The plant meaning carries a gardening/horticultural connotation universally.
Frequency
The core meaning is low frequency in general discourse. The plant meaning is medium frequency among gardeners. The pastry meaning is high frequency in specific American culinary contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “elephant ear” in a Sentence
plant an elephant earfry an elephant earan elephant ear of a plantan elephant ear the size of...Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in niche horticulture or food vending.
Academic
Used in botany and zoology textbooks; informal term within these fields.
Everyday
Used when discussing gardening, cooking, or describing very large, flat objects by analogy.
Technical
A common name, not a scientific designation. Horticultural guides use it for ease of identification.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “elephant ear”
- Using 'elephant ears' (plural) as a singular noun (e.g., 'I bought an elephant ears').
- Confusing the plant with the unrelated 'elephant ear' sponge in marine biology.
- Misspelling as 'elephantear' (should be two words or hyphenated).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is typically written as two words ('elephant ear') but can be hyphenated ('elephant-ear') when used as a compound modifier (e.g., 'elephant-ear plant').
Some species, like Colocasia esculenta (taro), have edible corms, but the leaves and stems of many species contain calcium oxalate crystals and are toxic if not cooked properly. Never consume without expert identification and preparation guidance.
Both are fried festival foods. An elephant ear is a single, flattened sheet of dough. A funnel cake is made by drizzling batter through a funnel into hot oil, creating a tangled, web-like shape.
They require bright, indirect light, high humidity, consistently moist (but not waterlogged) soil, and warm temperatures. The large leaves need regular dusting.
The large, floppy ear of an elephant (Loxodonta africana or Elephas maximus).
Elephant ear is usually neutral (core); informal/specialised (botanical & culinary) in register.
Elephant ear: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɛlɪf(ə)nt ɪə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɛləfənt ɪr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None common for this compound noun]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine an elephant using one of the large, leafy plants as a fan, or a giant, sugary pastry flapping like an ear in the wind.
Conceptual Metaphor
LARGE, FLAT OBJECT IS A BODY PART (specifically an ear); INDULGENCE IS EXCESSIVE SIZE (for the pastry).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'elephant ear' LEAST likely to be used?