Definition

1. Noun:
   • An albino Indian elephant; rare and sometimes venerated in East Asia: A literal white elephant is a rare, pale-colored elephant considered sacred in some cultures.
   • A valuable possession whose upkeep is excessively expensive: A burdensome or costly possession that is difficult to maintain or dispose of, often received as a gift.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Literal):

  • The ancient king was said to own a white elephant.
  • In some traditions, a white elephant is a symbol of good fortune.

• Noun (Idiomatic):

  • That sprawling mansion became a white elephant after the heating bills arrived.
  • The expensive, rarely used sculpture was a white elephant for the small museum.

Advanced Usage

• "white elephant sale" or "white elephant gift exchange": A party game or sale where people bring humorous or unwanted gifts to be traded.
  • We're having a white elephant gift exchange at the office party.

Variants and Related Words

• White elephant (as a compound adjective): Used to describe something that is burdensomely costly.
  • The project turned into a white elephant scheme for the government.

Synonyms

• Burden: Something that is carried with difficulty.
• Albatross: A constant and inescapable burden (from the poem ).
• Money pit: Something that consumes a great deal of money.

Related Idioms

• "A gift/possession that is a white elephant": Directly describes the idiomatic meaning.
  • Winning the antique car was a white elephant; I couldn't afford its restoration.

Noun

1. albinic Indian elephant; rare and sometimes venerated in east Asia
2. a valuable possession whose upkeep is excessively expensive