flunk

[ fluhngk ]
See synonyms for flunk on Thesaurus.com
verb (used without object)
  1. to fail in a course or examination.

verb (used with object)
  1. to fail to get a passing mark in: to flunk math.

  2. to give a failing grade to; remove (a student) as unqualified from a school or course.

noun
  1. a failure, as in a course or examination.

Verb Phrases
  1. flunk out, to fail and be unable to continue in: He flunked out of flight school.

Origin of flunk

1
1815–25, Americanism; perhaps akin to flinch1, funk1

Other words from flunk

  • un·flunked, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use flunk in a sentence

  • Nahagbung siya kay nagpasagad lang sa pagtuun, He flunked because he neglected his studies.

  • He would be flunked—of course he would be flunked if The Roman had made up his mind to do it.

    The Varmint | Owen Johnson
  • But maybe now some of them wouldn't care so very much if they flunked.

    The Planet Strappers | Raymond Zinke Gallun
  • Pellams flunked in the examination; his co-conspirator passed meagerly; but Pellams' heart lost little of its wonted buoyancy.

    Stanford Stories | Charles K. Field
  • With the result that two out of my class passed the Russian examination, and the rest flunked.

    Warren Commission (2 of 26): Hearings Vol. II (of 15) | The President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy

British Dictionary definitions for flunk

flunk

/ (flʌŋk) informal, mainly US, Canadian and NZ /


verb
  1. to fail or cause to fail to reach the required standard in (an examination, course, etc)

  2. (intr foll by out) to be dismissed from a school or college through failure in examinations

noun
  1. a low grade below the pass standard

Origin of flunk

1
C19: perhaps from flinch 1 + funk 1

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012