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elephant ear

American  
[el-uh-fuhnt eer] / ˈɛl ə fənt ˌɪər /

noun

  1. Also elephant's-ear any of various plants with very large, sturdy leaves shaped somewhat like an elephant’s ear in shape, especially a plant of the arum family (Aracea), including caladium, malanga, and taro.

  2. Cooking.

    1. a large, flat, sugared pastry made from fried dough, somewhat resembling an elephant's ear.

    2. palmier.


Etymology

Origin of elephant ear

First recorded in 1865–70 elephant ear for def. 1


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

This beautiful elephant ear wowed the judges with its sturdy burgundy stems and large glossy leaves featuring pink veins and creamy white centers.

From Seattle Times ● May 8, 2024

One more thing that makes it great to be here: eating an elephant ear.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 15, 2024

They have very specific things I need for Vietnamese cooking, like fish sauce, noodles and herbs, like rice paddy herb, elephant ear plant and Vietnamese coriander.

From New York Times ● Dec. 24, 2021

She promptly got a call from a school administrator, and before the day was out, she had packed some clothes and her elephant ear fish, Dumbo, and moved into quarantine housing.

From New York Times ● May 17, 2021

A ditch full of elephant ear plants and soggy grass.

From "Where Things Come Back" by John Corey Whaley

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