fluke

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈflük How to pronounce fluke (audio)
Synonyms of flukenext
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 of fluke

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Noun (1)

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
For one half, Texas played like the best team in the nation, and its 24-3 lead was not a fluke. — Mac Engel october 25, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Oct. 2026 Elsewhere, a dress printed with junk food, wine and spirits was made entirely of vintage men’s ties, a fluke when Miller debuted them in the late ‘80s. — Ari Stark, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026 The collection ultimately reveals not just a four-song fluke but three fiercely ambitious young writers inventing themselves in real time. — Cary Baker, SPIN, 20 Oct. 2026 Detroit Pistons — Prove last year wasn’t a fluke — the Pistons were the best team in the East by record last season. — Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fluke

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of fluke was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing fluke

Rhymes for fluke

See All Rhymes for fluke

Browse Nearby Words

fluish
fluke
fluked
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fluke.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fluke. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

fluke

1 of 3 noun
ˈflük How to pronounce fluke (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce fluke (audio)
: a flattened digenetic trematode worm
broadly : trematode see liver fluke

More from Merriam-Webster on fluke

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fluke

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