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fluke — an unlikely chance occurrence, especially a surprising piece of luck

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: an unlikely chance occurrence, especially a surprising piece of luck

Pronunciation (IPA): /fluːk/

Example Sentences

  • Getting into Harvard was a total fluke - I accidentally sent my application twice!
  • The scientist's groundbreaking discovery was actually a fluke.
  • Winning the lottery twice? That can't be just a fluke!

fluke

NOUN

[/fluːk/]

an unlikely chance occurrence, especially a surprising piece of luck

fluke — an unlikely chance occurrence, especially a surprising piece of luck (concept illustration)
💡 Concept

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/fluːk/
🇬🇧 UK/fluːk/

🌳Etymology

Rootfluke

Origin

From Middle English fluke meaning 'flatfish' or 'anchor's hook,' first appearing in the 16th century. The meaning of 'lucky accident' came from 19th-century billiards, where an unintended successful shot was called a 'fluke.'

Breakdown

fluke (root meaning flatfish/hook-shaped object, later extended to mean accidental success)

🎵Rhyme

duke
luke
nuke
puke

🔗Collocations

pure fluke
lucky fluke
by fluke
fluke shot
complete fluke
fluke win

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“Getting into Harvard was a total fluke - I accidentally sent my application twice!”

“The scientist's groundbreaking discovery was actually a fluke.”

“Winning the lottery twice? That can't be just a fluke!”

😄 Fun example

“My cat accidentally turned on the TV and ordered pizza - what a fluke!”

📚Related Words

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