flunk

1 of 2

verb

flunked; flunking; flunks

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

flunk

2 of 2

noun

: an act or instance of flunking

Examples of flunk in a Sentence

Verb 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 on the Web
Verb
Wisconsin was better than the 13 states that flunked the test: Alaska, Idaho, Louisiana, Maine, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont and Wyoming. Kelly Meyerhofer, Journal Sentinel, 5 Sep. 2024 As of right now, far too many Republicans flunk that test. Daniel W. Drezner, Foreign Affairs, 1 Jan. 2013
Noun
He’s also had 30 horses flunk drug tests in that time and 74 horses die in his care since 2000. Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 4 May 2024 The San Ramon Valley Unified School District’s two measures on a special May 7 election ballot flunk both tests. East Bay Times Editorial, The Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for flunk 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'flunk.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

perhaps blend of flinch and funk

First Known Use

Verb

1823, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun

1846, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of flunk was in 1823

Dictionary Entries Near flunk

Cite this Entry

“Flunk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flunk. Accessed 8 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

flunk

verb
ˈfləŋk
1
: fail entry 1 sense 2c
flunk a test
2
: to give a failing grade to
flunk noun

More from Merriam-Webster on flunk

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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