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
-
have flunkedperfect
-
has flunkedperfect 3rd person singular
-
has been flunkingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
-
have been flunkingperfect progressive
-
is flunkingprogressive 3rd person singular
-
flunkingparticiple
-
flunkssingular 3rd person
-
am flunkingprogressive 1st person singular
-
are flunkingprogressive
Past
-
had flunkedperfect
-
had been flunkingperfect progressive
-
was flunkingprogressive singular
-
flunkedsimple
-
were flunkingprogressive plural
-
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
First she was told that a paper test was no longer an option, and later she was told that you had to flunk a computer test first.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 7, 2023
This other teacher is going to flunk me.
From Scientific American • Oct. 13, 2022
Second place and the Lactation Cookie Bites: “Mom, if I have to run down here every time your screen freezes, I’m going to flunk gym class.”
From Washington Post • Aug. 25, 2022
He was certain to flunk English this term, simply because English was mostly reading and he didn’t have time anymore to spend four or five hours every night reading a lousy book.
From "The Chocolate War" by Robert Cormier
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.
