flunk

1 of 2

verb

ˈfləŋk 

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

Synonyms

Verb

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

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

Another flunked a simple entry-level test on how to read a meter. —Megan Crepeau, Chicago Tribune, 7 Nov. 2024

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

Noun

But that chapter, written before a July Supreme Court ruling that suggested Florida and Texas laws regulating content moderation flunk First Amendment scrutiny, also notes that Carr met some conservative pushback on that idea from his own Project 2025 collaborators. —Rob Pegoraro, PCMAG, 6 Nov. 2024

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

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

Phrases Containing flunk

• flunk out

Kids Definition

flunk

verb

ˈfləŋk

1

: fail entry 1 sense 2c

flunk a test

2

: to give a failing grade to

flunk noun