# white elephant

> English word · Noun

## Definitions
1. A possession that is unwanted or is a financial burden; an unprofitable investment.
2. Clipping of white elephant exchange.
3. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see white, elephant.

## Etymology
In Siam, elephants were working animals. However, white (albino) elephants were considered sacred and therefore were not to be put to work. The owner was then left to feed the elephant but could get no work from it. It is said that the King of Siam used to make a present of a white elephant to courtiers he wanted to ruin.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-09-03.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/white-elephant