flunk

1 of 2

verb

ˈfləŋk How to pronounce flunk (audio)
flunked; flunking; flunks
Synonyms of flunknext

intransitive verb

: to fail especially in an examination or course
was worried he would flunk

transitive verb

1
: to give a failing grade to
The teacher flunked half the class.
2
: to get a failing grade or result in
flunked the math exam
flunker noun

flunk

2 of 2

noun

: an act or instance of flunking

Synonyms of flunk

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Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of flunk in a Sentence

Verb If I flunk this class, I have to take it over again. If I flunk, I have to take this class over again. The teacher had to flunk two students.
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.
Verb
By the end of the eighth grade, Ben—now out as gay—was flunking every class. — Longreads, 3 Feb. 2026 To her, the fact that many vehicles are now flunking this test is, in some ways, a positive sign. — Camila Domonoske, NPR, 3 Feb. 2026
Noun
Facilities that ace their inspections are on track to get up to five stars, whereas those that flunk will struggle to get more than one or two stars. — New York Times, 9 Dec. 2021 Or, perhaps some schools will consider this to be an act of cheating that causes the student to get an automatic flunk. — Lance Eliot, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2022 See All Example Sentences for flunk

Word History

Etymology

Verb

perhaps blend of flinch and funk

First Known Use

Verb

1823, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun

1846, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of flunk was in 1823

Phrases Containing flunk

Rhymes for flunk

See All Rhymes for flunk

Browse Nearby Words

flung
flunk
flunk out
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Flunk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flunk. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

flunk

verb
ˈfləŋk
1
: fail entry 1 sense 2c
flunk a test
2
: to give a failing grade to
flunk noun

More from Merriam-Webster on flunk

Nglish: Translation of flunk for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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