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.

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Etymology

Origin of elephant ear

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

Example Sentences

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

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

In another corner of the garden, I excavated a 5-foot-square patch of rich soil and put in a load of elephant ear bulbs, which I had overwintered.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 7, 2021

The restaurant serves really good versions of the grilled pork noodles President Obama shared with Anthony Bourdain in Hanoi; sautéed clams with spongy sliced elephant ear stem; and the coconut-sweetened mini-crepes called bánh khot.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 31, 2017

From where I stood, the moon bloomed like a giant elephant ear off the side of his head.

From "Tradition" by Brendan Kiely