flunk — to fail a test, course, or examination
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to fail a test, course, or examination
Pronunciation (IPA): /flʌŋk/
Example Sentences
- My friend managed to flunk a multiple-choice test where the answers were A, B, C, and 'All of the above' - he chose D for everything.
- If you don't study for the final exam, you'll definitely flunk the course.
- She was so nervous about flunking that she studied 12 hours a day and forgot to show up for the actual test.
flunk
VERB[/flʌŋk/]
to fail a test, course, or examination
He stared at the red F on his exam, realizing he would flunk the class.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Flunk originated as American slang in the late 19th century, likely derived from the verb 'funk', meaning to be afraid or frightened. The term came to denote failing an examination, conceptually linking the fear of failure with actual academic failure.
Breakdown
funk (to fear, be afraid) + -k (suffix marking transition to flunk). The word represents a semantic shift from expressing fear to describing the failure itself.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My friend managed to flunk a multiple-choice test where the answers were A, B, C, and 'All of the above' - he chose D for everything.”
“If you don't study for the final exam, you'll definitely flunk the course.”
“She was so nervous about flunking that she studied 12 hours a day and forgot to show up for the actual test.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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