elephantine
gb/ˌɛləfˈæntˌin/ us/ˌɛləfˈæntˌin/
C1
English
hatalmas, monumentális, nehézkes, otromba, elefántszerű, elefantiázisszerű
C1
1
hatalmas
A2
monumentális
B2
Usage pattern:
[an] elephantine [object/body/structure]
The hotel lobby was dominated by an elephantine marble staircase.
A szálloda előcsarnokát egy monumentális márványlépcső uralta.
He lugged an elephantine suitcase up three flights of stairs.
Egy hatalmas bőröndöt cipelt fel három emeletnyi lépcsőn.
The report grew into an elephantine document no one wanted to read.
Learner examples
The sofa is elephantine and hard to move.
A kanapé hatalmas, és nehéz megmozdítani.
They built an elephantine statue in the square.
Egy hatalmas szobrot állítottak a téren.
Common mistake:
Used mainly in formal or literary descriptions; for everyday speech, learners often choose big, huge, or massive instead.
Meaning
extremely large and heavy
Collocations
elephantine size
|elephantine proportions
|elephantine bulk
|elephantine frame
|elephantine statue
|elephantine monument
|elephantine machinery
|elephantine volume
|elephantine building
|elephantine figure
Synonyms
massive (Common and neutral; less vivid than elephantine.)
|
enormous (Emphasizes great size; not specifically heavy.)
|
hulking (Suggests a big, heavy, awkward shape.)
Antonyms
tiny (Opposite in size.)
|
slender (Opposite in overall bulk.)
|
lightweight (Opposite in heaviness.)
Themes
describing_people
|describing_things
|size
Definition
very big and heavy
Very large, heavy, and solid-looking.
C1
2
Usage pattern:
elephantine [gait/steps/movements/manner]
In his elephantine boots, he clattered up the stairs.
Nehézkes csizmájában csattogva ment fel a lépcsőn.
The dancer’s elephantine movements drew a few laughs from the crowd.
A táncos nehézkes mozdulatai néhány nevetést váltottak ki a közönségből.
Her writing has an elephantine pace, slow and difficult to get through.
Learner examples
He walked with an elephantine gait.
Nehézkes járással ment.
The robot moved in an elephantine way.
A robot mozgása nehézkes volt.
Common mistake:
Elephantine can suggest clumsiness, not just size; it may sound critical when describing a person.
Meaning
clumsy and slow-moving
Collocations
elephantine gait
|elephantine steps
|elephantine movements
|elephantine manner
|elephantine approach
|elephantine dancing
|elephantine grace
|elephantine stride
Synonyms
lumbering (Strongly focuses on heavy, awkward movement.)
|
ungainly (Emphasizes lack of grace; not necessarily slow.)
|
ponderous (Suggests slow heaviness in movement or style; often formal.)
Antonyms
nimble (Opposite in quick, light movement.)
|
graceful (Opposite in elegance of movement.)
Themes
movement
|behavior
|description
Definition
moving in a slow, heavy, awkward way
Awkward, heavy, and slow in movement or manner.
C2
3
elefántszerű
B2
Usage pattern:
elephantine [ears/skin/features]
The mask had elephantine ears and a long painted trunk.
A maszknak elefántszerű fülei és hosszú, festett ormánya volt.
The creature’s elephantine skin was thick and deeply wrinkled.
A lény elefántszerű bőre vastag és mélyen ráncos volt.
Learner examples
The costume has elephantine ears.
A jelmeznek elefántszerű fülei vannak.
Common mistake:
This sense is less common than the figurative ‘very large/heavy’ sense.
Meaning
like an elephant in form
Collocations
elephantine ears
|elephantine skin
|elephantine features
|elephantine head
|elephantine profile
Synonyms
elephant-like (More direct and transparent; less formal.)
Themes
animals
|appearance
|description
Definition
looking like an elephant
Resembling an elephant in appearance or features.
C2
TECHNICAL
4
Usage pattern:
elephantine [leg/limb/swelling]
The clinician noted elephantine swelling of the lower leg.
A klinikus a lábszár elefantiázisszerű duzzanatát észlelte.
The report described an elephantine enlargement of the affected limb.
A jelentés az érintett végtag elefantiázisszerű megnagyobbodását írta le.
Common mistake:
Rare outside medical contexts; don’t use it for ordinary swelling.
Meaning
abnormally swollen or enlarged
Collocations
elephantine leg
|elephantine limb
|elephantine swelling
|elephantine enlargement
Synonyms
edematous (Technical term meaning swollen with fluid; less figurative.)
|
grossly enlarged (Clinical phrasing; less metaphorical.)
Antonyms
normal (Not enlarged or swollen.)
|
unswollen (Specifically the opposite of swollen.)
Themes
health
|medicine
Definition
very swollen (medical)
Marked by unusual enlargement or swelling, especially of a limb, resembling elephantiasis.
Grammar
Dictionary form
elephantine
IPA
GB/ˌɛləfˈæntˌin/
US/ˌɛləfˈæntˌin/
Syllables & stress
ele - phant - ine (3 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (ine)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: elephantine
Word family
Core family
elephant
noun A1
Expressions
elephantine memory
1/ˌɛləfˈæntˌin mˈɛmɚi/
fixed phrase
very strong long-term memory
a very good memory
Examples
- My grandfather had an elephantine memory for names and dates.
- She has an elephantine memory and never forgets a birthday.
Learner examples
- He has an elephantine memory.
of elephantine proportions
1/əv ˌɛləfˈæntˌin pɹəpˈɔɹʃənz/
fixed phrase
extremely large in size
extremely big
Examples
- They served a dessert of elephantine proportions.
- The renovation turned into a project of elephantine proportions.
- The final bill was of elephantine proportions.
Learner examples
- The cake was of elephantine proportions.