fluke

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈflük 

1

: a stroke of luck

The discovery was a fluke.

Her second championship shows that the first one was no mere fluke.

2

: an accidentally successful stroke at billiards or pool

fluke

2 of 3

noun (2)

1

: flatfish

2

: a flattened digenetic trematode worm

broadly : trematode compare liver fluke

fluke

3 of 3

noun (3)

1

: the part of an anchor that fastens in the ground see anchor illustration

2

: one of the lobes of a whale's tail

Synonyms of fluke

Noun (1)

• accident
• chance
• luck

Examples of fluke in a Sentence

Noun (1)

the discovery of oil on their property was just an amazing fluke

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Doubs’ mishap might’ve just been a fluke. —Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026

In a 2024 paper, four AI researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology argued that these hints of convergence are no fluke. —Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 7 Jan. 2026

At the time, many economists who had long known Hassett, including Baker, considered the cubic-fit episode a fluke. —Rogé Karma, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2026

Still, oddsmakers believe that game was a fluke. —Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 7 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

origin unknown

Noun (2)

Middle English floke, fluke, from Old English flōc; akin to Old English flōh chip, Old High German flah smooth, Greek plax flat surface, and probably to Old English flōr floor — more at floor

Noun (3)

perhaps from fluke entry 2

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1857, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun (2)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (3)

1561, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing fluke

• blood fluke
• liver fluke

Rhymes for fluke

• juke
• kook
• luc
• luke
• nuke
• puke
• souk
• spook
• archduke
• rebuke
• caoutchouc

Kids Definition

fluke

1 of 3 noun

ˈflük 

: any of various trematode flatworms compare liver fluke

fluke

2 of 3 noun

1

: the part of an anchor that digs into the ground

2

: a barbed head (as of a harpoon)

3

: one of the lobes of a whale's tail

fluke

3 of 3 noun

: a stroke of good luck

won by a fluke

fluky

ˈflü-kē

adjective

Medical Definition

fluke

noun

ˈflük 

: a flattened digenetic trematode worm

broadly : trematode see liver fluke