fluke Definition

fluke¹
noun

1. A success achieved by accident or chance.

Thesaurus: windfall, accident, coincidence, freak, lucky break, serendipity, chance, break, blessing, fortuity, quirk, stroke.

verb

fluked, fluking
1. To make, score or achieve something by a fluke.

Derivative: flukey
adj

(of a success) achieved by accident or chance
Thesaurus: lucky, fortunate, fortuitous, accidental, coincidental, freakish, chance, serendipitous.

Derivative: flukiness
noun

Etymology: 19c: originally referring to a successful stroke made by chance in billiards.

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fluke²
noun

1. Any of thousands of species of parasitic flatworm, having a complex life cycle which may involve several different hosts including sheep, cattle and humans, so called because of its resemblance to a miniature flounder.
2. A flounder².

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon floc plaice.

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fluke³
noun

1. One of the triangular plates of iron on each arm of an anchor.
2. A barb, eg of an arrow, harpoon, etc.
3. A lobe of a whale's tail.

Etymology: 16c: probably a special use of fluke².