flunk

play

verb \ ˈfləŋk \

Definition of flunk

intransitive verb

:to fail especially in an examination or course

transitive verb

1 :to give a failing grade to

2 :to get a failing grade or result in

—

flunker

noun

See flunk defined for English-language learners

See flunk defined for kids

Examples of flunk in a Sentence

If I flunk this class, I have to take it over again.
If I flunk, I have to take this class over again.
The teacher had to flunk two students.

Recent Examples of flunk from the Web

The Ypsilanti, Mich., native wanted to become a pilot but flunked the eye exam.

— meg jones, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "World War II veteran from Madison recognized for weather satellite research," 9 Aug. 2017
He was sent home after an argument with a hospital worker during player physicals and flunked his drug test because of a diluted sample.

— mark inabinett, AL.com, "Reuben Foster finding NFL training camp as easy as 1, 2, 3 (interceptions)," 2 Aug. 2017
Stivender was a middling student at Leesburg High who later flunked his first classes at what now is Lake-Sumter State College, then buckled down and graduated from UCF in 1981.

— lauren ritchie, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Longtime public works director retires to hit the road," 2 Aug. 2017
Many of my peers ended up dropping out or flunking out of college.

— ehime ohue, Washington Post, "At Duke, I realized how badly many South Carolina schools are failing students like me," 6 July 2017
And though he had almost flunked in Greek, his thesis on 'Sixteen Ways of Paying a Church Debt' had won the ten-dollar prize in Practical Theology.

— charles p. pierce, Esquire, "Grifting for Jesus," 27 June 2017
But despite Casey's distractions speech, what happened to you Beavers losing Heimlich isn't a distraction, like a key player suffering a sprained ankle or flunking a class.

— ron higgins, NOLA.com, "All the pressure is on No. 1 Oregon State against LSU in CWS," 19 June 2017
In her freshman and sophomore years Mitto flunked several classes and spent most of her time serving in-school suspensions.

— steven goode, Courant Community, "Windsor High Graduates Told 'Do Not Fear The Future'," 14 June 2017
A Miami Edison graduate in 1940 — despite flunking English twice — Roach learned rudimentary welding and was first hired by Eastern that year as a cleaner and to play on its baseball team.

— howard cohen, miamiherald, "Eastern pilot who flew President Carter — his wife’s former beau, dies at 96," 26 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'flunk.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of flunk

perhaps blend of flinch and funk

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1823

See Words from the same year

flunk Synonyms

Synonyms

bomb, collapse, crater, flame out, flop, fail, fold, founder, miss, strike out, tank, wash out

Antonyms

click, come off, deliver, go, go over, pan out, succeed, work out

Related Words

flounder, struggle; decline, sink, skid, slip, slump, wane; crash, crumble, miscarry, misfire; go under; implode, self-destruct

Near Antonyms

cook, flourish, prosper, thrive; prevail, triumph, win

flunk

noun

Definition of flunk

:an act or instance of flunking

Recent Examples of flunk from the Web

And some students in general courses may test poorly or don't do their homework and flunk tests, educators say.

— diane rado, chicagotribune.com, "Tribune analysis: College prep courses not preparing kids for college," 19 May 2017

First Known Use of flunk

1846

FLUNK Defined for English Language Learners

flunk

play

verb

Definition of flunk for English Language Learners

: to get a failing grade in (something, such as an examination or course)
: to give a failing grade to (someone)

FLUNK Defined for Kids

flunk

play

verb \ ˈfləŋk \

Definition of flunk for Students

flunked; flunking

:¹fail 1

I flunked the test.

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