fluke

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈflük 

1

: a stroke of luck

the discovery was a fluke

Her second championship shows that the first one was no mere fluke.

2

: an accidentally successful stroke at billiards or pool

fluke

2 of 3

noun (2)

1

: flatfish

2

: a flattened digenetic trematode worm

broadly : trematode compare liver fluke

fluke

3 of 3

noun (3)

1

: the part of an anchor that fastens in the ground see anchor illustration

2

: one of the lobes of a whale's tail

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• break
• strike

Examples of fluke in a Sentence

Noun (1)

the discovery of oil on their property was just an amazing fluke

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Oregon wants to prove that their undefeated regular season was no fluke and take down arguably their biggest competition in this tournament. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024

There seems to be a more accepting atmosphere around Trump in 2024, as opposed to his 2016 victory, which many viewed as a fluke. —Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 12 Dec. 2024

But 22 games into this campaign, Hart is proving his hot hand is no fluke. —Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 8 Dec. 2024

The Red Bulls, the seventh-seeded team in the Eastern Conference, look to convince prospective sponsors and season ticket holders that this season wasn’t a fluke. —Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 7 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

origin unknown

Noun (2)

Middle English floke, fluke, from Old English flōc; akin to Old English flōh chip, Old High German flah smooth, Greek plax flat surface, and probably to Old English flōr floor — more at floor

Noun (3)

perhaps from fluke entry 2

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1857, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun (2)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (3)

1561, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing fluke

• blood fluke
• liver fluke

Kids Definition

fluke

1 of 3 noun

ˈflük 

: any of various trematode flatworms compare liver fluke

fluke

2 of 3 noun

1

: the part of an anchor that digs into the ground

2

: a barbed head (as of a harpoon)

3

: one of the lobes of a whale's tail

fluke

3 of 3 noun

: a stroke of good luck

won by a fluke

fluky

ˈflü-kē

adjective

Medical Definition

fluke

noun

ˈflük 

: a flattened digenetic trematode worm

broadly : trematode see liver fluke