How to Pronounce "white elephant"
expression
ˈhwaɪt/, /ˈwaɪt/ /ˈɛɫəfənt
HWYTE EL-uh-fuhnt or WYTE EL-uh-fuhnt
wˈaɪt/ /ˈɛlɪfənt
WYTE EL-ih-fuhnt
Definition
A white elephant is something that costs a lot of money but is not useful, or is difficult and expensive to maintain, like a building, project, or gift that becomes a burden.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈhwaɪt/, /ˈwaɪt/ /ˈɛɫəfənt
British English
wˈaɪt/ /ˈɛlɪfənt
Simplified Pronunciation
US
HWYTE EL-uh-fuhnt or WYTE EL-uh-fuhnt
UK
WYTE EL-ih-fuhnt
Listen in Context
The empty stadium became a white elephant after the games ended.
This expensive machine is a white elephant because no one uses it.
The huge shopping mall turned into a white elephant after most stores closed.
My uncle gave me an antique piano, but it's just a white elephant in my small apartment.