- The definition of a fluke is an odd occurrence that happens and is unlikely to be repeated.
An example of a fluke is a snowstorm in July.
- any of various flatfishes, esp. a genus (Paralichthys) of flounders
Origin of flukeMiddle English floke ; from Old English floc, akin to Old Norse floki ; from Indo-European base an unverified form plāg-, broad, flat from source flag, German flach, flat, level
- a pointed part of an anchor, designed to catch in the ground
- ☆ a barb or barbed head of an arrow, harpoon, etc.
- either of the two lobes of a whale's tail
Origin of flukeprobably ; from fluke, with reference to shape
- Any of numerous parasitic flatworms, including the trematodes, some of which infect humans, and the monogeneans, which are chiefly ectoparasites of fish.
- Any of various flatfishes chiefly of the genus Paralichthys, especially the summer flounder.
Origin of flukeMiddle English, flounder, flatfish, from Old English flōc; see plāk-1 in Indo-European roots. Sense 1, from the flounderlike shape of sheep flukes .
- Nautical The triangular blade at the end of an arm of an anchor, designed to catch in the ground.
- A barb or barbed head, as on an arrow or a harpoon.
- Either of the two horizontally flattened divisions of the tail of a whale.
Origin of flukePossibly from fluke1.
top: arrowhead and whale flukes
bottom: anchor flukes
- A chance occurrence: That spring snowstorm was a total fluke.
- Games An accidentally good or successful stroke in billiards or pool.
Origin of flukeOrigin unknown.
- A surname.