English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
verb B1 Intermediate

flunk

fluhngk

Flunk (verb) means to fail a class, test, or course. Example: “He flunked chemistry in his first year of college.”

verb
1
To fail a class, test, or course.
"He flunked chemistry in his first year of college."
2
To back out of something out of fear.
"She almost flunked the interview after losing her nerve."

How to use flunk

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo fail, especially an exam or course, in informal American English.

When to use it

Informal — mainly used in casual speech, especially about school and exams.

Common pairings
flunk a test flunk out flunk a class

Word forms

flunked past tense, flunks singular

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “flunk” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

He _____ chemistry in his first year of college.

Etymology

Likely an alteration of "funk," possibly blended with "flinch."

fail bomb flush it

Related words

Rhymes for flunk

See all rhymes for flunk →

Frequently asked questions

What does “flunk” mean?

The word “flunk” means to fail a class, test, or course. In plain terms, to fail, especially an exam or course, in informal American English.

How do you pronounce “flunk”?

“Flunk” is pronounced fluhngk (/flʌŋk/ in IPA).

How do you use “flunk” in a sentence?

Here is “flunk” used in a sentence: “He flunked chemistry in his first year of college.”

What part of speech is “flunk”?

“Flunk” is a verb.

How many meanings does “flunk” have?

“Flunk” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to fail a class, test, or course.

Featured in

People also searched

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial