DictionaryAI

fluke

SayFLOOK/fluk/UK/fluːk/

Pluralflukes, fluke

Verbflukes, fluking, fluked

7 meanings of fluke

Practice

  1. 1
    lucky chancenouncountable
    Something lucky or strange that happens by chance and probably will not happen again.

    His goal was a fluke because he was only trying to pass the ball.

    People said her first win was a fluke, but she kept on winning.

    UsageSay by a fluke or a total fluke.

    Similaraccident, chance

    Note
  2. 2
    parasite wormnouncountable
    A small flat worm, related to the tapeworm, that lives inside people or animals.

    The vet found flukes in the cow's liver.

    A liver fluke is a tiny worm that can live in sheep.

    Similartrematode

    Note
  3. 3
    whale tailnouncountable
    One of the two halves of the tail of a whale or a similar animal.

    The whale lifted its flukes out of the water and dove.

    The whale hit the water with one fluke and splashed everyone on the boat.

    UsageUsually flukes: the whale lifted its flukes.

    Note
  4. 4
    flat fishnouncountable or uncountable
    A kind of flat fish called the summer flounder.

    He caught a big fluke off the end of the pier.

    We had grilled fluke with lemon for dinner.

    Similarflounder

    Note
  5. 5
    verbtransitive
    To succeed by luck, not skill.

    I didn't study at all, so I hope I can fluke a pass.

    He fluked his way into the final round.

    UsageSay fluke a win, or fluke your way into something.

  6. 6
    nouncountable
    A pointed blade on an anchor or harpoon that catches and holds.

    One fluke of the anchor got stuck under a rock.

    The anchor's flukes dug into the sand and held the boat in place.

    Note

Less common meaning

  1. 7
    noun
    A metal hook on top of a long pole weapon, used to pull at enemies or break through armor.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of fluke apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origins

Meanings 1, 5

No one knows where it comes from. It seems to have first meant a lucky shot in billiards.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 2 facts

Meanings 2, 4

From Old English flōc, "flatfish". It is related to German flach, "flat".

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 2 facts

Meanings 3, 6

First used in the mid-1500s for the blade of an anchor. It is probably the same word as fluke, "flatfish", or another word for something flat.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 3 facts