fluke

[ flook ]

/ fluk /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR fluke ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the part of an anchor that catches in the ground, especially the flat triangular piece at the end of each arm.

a barb, or the barbed head, of a harpoon, spear, arrow, or the like.

either half of the triangular tail of a whale.

Nearby words

Origin of fluke

First recorded in 1555–65; perhaps special use of fluke³

fluke

[ flook ]

/ fluk /

noun

an accidental advantage; stroke of good luck: He got the job by a fluke.

an accident or chance happening.

an accidentally successful stroke, as in billiards.

Origin of fluke

First recorded in 1855–60; of obscure origin; compare dial. fluke a guess

fluke

[ flook ]

/ fluk /

noun

any of several American flounders of the genus Paralichthys, especially P. dentatus, found in the Atlantic Ocean.

any of various other flatfishes.

a trematode.

Origin of fluke

before 900; Middle English flok(e), fluke, Old English flōc; cognate with Old Norse flōki; compare Old High German flah flat (German flach)

Related formsfluke·less, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for fluke

In 1989, a newly registered Republican in Louisiana named David Duke won his only election by a fluke.
The Louisiana Racists Who Courted Steve Scalise|Jason Berry|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
“Sandra Fluke Aborts Congressional Bid,” read another headline on Breitbart after Fluke opted to run instead for the state Senate.
Sandra Fluke, Still Under Attack, Heads to California General Election|Olivia Nuzzi|June 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
From the moment the word was out that Fluke was considering a run for office, she was the subject of right-wing side-eye.
Sandra Fluke, Still Under Attack, Heads to California General Election|Olivia Nuzzi|June 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Having her as our guest was a fluke of Divine Order and a true example of Ask and You shall receive.
Common: Maya Angelou ‘Touched My Soul’|Common|May 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST

It was a chance occurrence, something of a fluke, but it was meant to be.
Sandi Thom On How To Make It As A Female Rock Star|Sandi Thom|April 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Fluke, a very late potato, is a great favorite with many who produce for market.
The $100 Prize Essay on the Cultivation of the Potato; and How to Cook the Potato|D. H. Compton and Pierre Blot
I seen a crocodile bite the fluke of an anchor same as I chew that quid.
Ulysses|James Joyce
Close by where it leaped a large whale lifted its fluke almost perpendicularly out of the water and thrashed it into foam.
A Summer's Outing|Carter H. Harrison
Occasionally Mr Fluke stopped him to ask a question, then said, “Go on, go on.”
Owen Hartley; or, Ups and Downs|William H. G. Kingston
In 1790 Menzies likewise described and figured a fluke about two inches long.
Parasites|T. Spencer Cobbold

British Dictionary definitions for fluke

fluke

/ (fluːk) /

noun

Also called: flue a flat bladelike projection at the end of the arm of an anchor

either of the two lobes of the tail of a whale or related animal

Also called: flue the barb or barbed head of a harpoon, arrow, etc

Word Origin for fluke

C16: perhaps a special use of fluke ³ (in the sense: a flounder)

noun

an accidental stroke of luck

any chance happening

verb

(tr) to gain, make, or hit by a fluke

Word Origin for fluke

C19: of unknown origin

noun

any parasitic flatworm, such as the blood fluke and liver fluke, of the classes Monogenea and Digenea (formerly united in a single class Trematoda)

another name for flounder 2 (def. 1)

Word Origin for fluke

Old English flōc; related to Old Norse flōki flounder, Old Saxon flaka sole, Old High German flah smooth

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for fluke

fluke

n.1

"flat end of an arm of an anchor," 1560s, perhaps from fluke (n.3) on resemblance of shape, or from Low German flügel "wing." Meaning "whale's tail" (in plural, flukes) is 1725.

fluke

n.2

"lucky stroke, chance hit," 1857, originally a lucky shot at billiards, of uncertain origin.

n.3

"flatfish," Old English floc "flatfish," related to Old Norse floke "flatfish," flak "disk, floe" (see flake (n.)). The parasite worm (1660s) so called from resemblance of shape.

Medicine definitions for fluke

fluke

[ flōōk ]

n.

trematode

Science definitions for fluke

fluke

[ flōōk ]

Either of the two flattened fins of a whale's tail.

See trematode.

fluke

noun

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of fluke

fluke

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Origin of fluke

fluke

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Origin of fluke

Examples from the Web for fluke

fluke

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Word Origin for fluke

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Word Origin for fluke

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fluke

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