fluke

1
[ flook ]
/ fluk /
SEE 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.

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decorum
the act of or need for making up one's mind.
dignified propriety of behavior, speech, dress, etc.
a company of singers, especially an organized group employed in church service.
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Origin of fluke

1
First recorded in 1555–65; perhaps special use of fluke3

Words nearby fluke

fluidics, fluidity, fluidize, fluidized bed, fluidrachm, fluke, flukey, fluky, flumadiddle, flume, flummery

Definition for fluke (2 of 3)

fluke2
[ 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

2
First recorded in 1855–60; of obscure origin; compare dial. fluke a guess

Definition for fluke (3 of 3)

fluke3
[ 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

3
before 900; Middle English flok(e), fluke, Old English flōc; cognate with Old Norse flōki; compare Old High German flah flat (German flach)

OTHER WORDS FROM fluke

fluke·less, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

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Words related to fluke

blessing, quirk, fortuity, accident, fortune, break, windfall, incident, contingency, fortunate

Example sentences from the Web for fluke

British Dictionary definitions for fluke (1 of 3)

fluke1
/ (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)

British Dictionary definitions for fluke (2 of 3)

fluke2
/ (fluːk) /

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

British Dictionary definitions for fluke (3 of 3)

fluke3
/ (fluːk) /

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

Medical definitions for fluke

fluke
[ flōōk ]

n.

trematode
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Scientific definitions for fluke

fluke
[ flōōk ]

Either of the two flattened fins of a whale's tail.
See trematode.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.