fluke

¹

[ flook ]

noun

1. the part of an anchor that catches in the ground, especially the flat triangular piece at the end of each arm.
2. a barb, or the barbed head, of a harpoon, spear, arrow, or the like.
3. either half of the triangular tail of a whale.

fluke

²

[ flook ]

noun

1. an accidental advantage; stroke of good luck:

   He got the job by a fluke.

2. an accident or chance happening.
3. an accidentally successful stroke, as in billiards.

fluke

³

[ flook ]

noun

1. any of several American flounders of the genus Paralichthys, especially P. dentatus, found in the Atlantic Ocean.
2. any of various other flatfishes.
3. a trematode.

fluke

¹

/ fluːk /

noun

1. Also calledflue a flat bladelike projection at the end of the arm of an anchor
2. either of the two lobes of the tail of a whale or related animal
3. Also calledflue the barb or barbed head of a harpoon, arrow, etc

fluke

²

/ fluːk /

noun

1. any parasitic flatworm, such as the blood fluke and liver fluke, of the classes Monogenea and Digenea (formerly united in a single class Trematoda )
2. another name for flounder 2

fluke

³

/ fluːk /

noun

1. an accidental stroke of luck
2. any chance happening

verb

1. tr to gain, make, or hit by a fluke

fluke

/ flo̅o̅k /

1. Either of the two flattened fins of a whale's tail.
2. See trematode

Other Words From

• flukeless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fluke¹

First recorded in 1555–65; perhaps special use of fluke ³

Origin of fluke²

First recorded in 1855–60; of obscure origin; compare English dialect fluke “a guess”

Origin of fluke³

First recorded before 900; Middle English flok, fluke, flewke, Old English flōc; cognate with Old Norse flōki; compare Old High German flah “flat” ( German flach )

Word History and Origins

Origin of fluke¹

C16: perhaps a special use of fluke ³ (in the sense: a flounder)

Origin of fluke²

Old English flōc ; related to Old Norse flōki flounder, Old Saxon flaka sole, Old High German flah smooth

Origin of fluke³

C19: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

You can read that as a fluke, a demonstration of climate change or a metaphor: What had unfolded over the previous night and into early Wednesday morning was certainly a form of explosive combustion.

From Salon

This effect was sparked by a historical fluke: a cluster of deaths of 27-year-old musicians within a two-year period.

From Los Angeles Times

Nicks’ was a fluke pregnancy, she said, and carrying to term would have ended her career as she knew it.

From Los Angeles Times

It was just a fluke that I got that book deal at all.

From Salon

“I think most people thought it was a fluke,” Arizona president Derrick Hall said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• blessing
• quirk