flunk
Americanverb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
-
to fail to get a passing mark in.
to flunk math.
-
to give a failing grade to; remove (a student) as unqualified from a school or course.
noun
verb phrase
verb
-
to fail or cause to fail to reach the required standard in (an examination, course, etc)
-
to be dismissed from a school or college through failure in examinations
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
has flunkedperfect 3rd person singular
-
have flunkedperfect
-
am flunkingprogressive 1st person singular
-
are flunkingprogressive
-
have been flunkingperfect progressive
-
is flunkingprogressive 3rd person singular
-
has been flunkingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
-
flunkssingular 3rd person
-
flunkingparticiple
Past
-
had flunkedperfect
-
was flunkingprogressive singular
-
were flunkingprogressive plural
-
had been flunkingperfect progressive
-
flunkedsimple
-
flunkedparticiple
Future
Etymology
Origin of flunk
Explanation
To flunk is to do poorly on a test or in a class. One way to avoid flunking is to start studying several nights before a test. People have been flunking things ever since there were schools. However, we’ve only been calling it flunking since the 1800s. Originally, flunk could mean “to fail” or “to give up.” That’s a good reminder that sometimes, to avoid flunking, you just need to keep trying.
Vocabulary lists containing flunk
"Enabling or Disabling?" and "This I Believe"
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"Sparky"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It’s saying, “Oh, yay, I get to flunk another math test this week,” when what you mean is that you are freaked out about your consistently terrible grades in math class.
From Salon • Nov. 29, 2024
This other teacher is going to flunk me.
From Scientific American • Oct. 13, 2022
Quarles tried to make the tests more transparent and predictable for banks, including scrapping a “qualitative” objection that allowed the Fed to flunk lenders on subjective grounds.
From Reuters • Sep. 23, 2021
If I got a football scholarship but had no place to live, no priority registration and no financial support, I’d flunk out of school.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 9, 2021
See, Katherine, I am not going to flunk out as a cry for help! he thought.
From "Found" by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
