elk

Everyday

1. In Britain and Europe: the largest kind of deer, with huge flat antlers and a long face; the same animal is called a moose in North America. tree →
2. In North America: a large deer with branching antlers, also called a wapiti, smaller than a moose. tree →

In the lessons

In science and geography lessons, elk are examples of large plant-eating mammals of northern forests. In stories they appear in snowy woods and as animals on the road in Canada or Scandinavia (road signs warn drivers). The word means different animals in different countries, a classic trap.

Examples

• An elk stepped out onto the road in front of us. tree →
• Elk eat grass, leaves and bark. tree →
• The male elk has large antlers. tree →
• We heard the elk bugling in the autumn forest. tree →
• In Sweden, signs warn drivers about elk. tree →
• A herd of elk grazed by the river. tree →

Note

Plural is usually «elk» (same as singular), sometimes «elks». Trap: British «elk» = American «moose»; American «elk» = wapiti. «Elks» with a capital E is also a US club name. Begins with a vowel sound: «an elk».