fluke

USAGE SUMMARY

'fluke' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to a remarkable occurrence or an object shaped like a flounder. Example sentence: It was a fluke that I won the lottery; I never expected it.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was no fluke.

The New York Times - Sports

You will hear whale song and see them breech, fluke and nurse their babies – who themselves are often very curious about humans.

The Guardian - Travel

Tyson has always maintained that, while Douglas boxed manfully in Tokyo, his victory was essentially a fluke.

The Guardian - Sport

It was no fluke – during the next decade the Detroit label scored dozens of top 10 hits, thanks to the likes of Smokey Robinson, the Supremes and Marvin Gaye.

The Guardian - Music

Veteran strikers who have seen better days are not supposed to score goals this good and when they do there is a temptation to regard it as a flash in the pan, a fluke even, more luck than judgment.

The Guardian - Sport

You don't just fluke a medal one year and then you die off.

The Guardian - Sport

The Dromore byelection was, as Gordon pointed out, "no fluke".

The Guardian

He scored just five times, leading many observers to conclude that his success at Pescara was a Zeman-inspired fluke.

The Guardian - Sport

They didn't win one of their last ten matches and scored only three goals – two of them penalties, the other a deflected fluke.

The Guardian - Sport

Climate Council member Will Steffen is one of the authors of the report and said it was a fluke that the report was launched on an unusually hot, bushfire-plagued day.

The Guardian

Unlike better teams, DC didn't punish the Revs, except for a fluke of an own goal.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to the "fluke" of a whale's tail, ensure that your terminology is anatomically correct and that you are distinguishing it from other parts of the whale.

Common error

Avoid describing consistent achievements as a "fluke". "Fluke" implies a one-off, random occurrence, not a repeated success.

Linguistic Context

The word "fluke" functions primarily as a noun, denoting a lucky or improbable occurrence, or as a noun referring to a type of flatfish or a part of a whale's tail. It can also function as a verb, meaning to achieve something by luck. According to Ludwig, it's a correct and usable word.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Sport

18%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "fluke" can function as a noun or a verb, most commonly used to describe a lucky or improbable occurrence, or to refer to a flatfish or part of a whale's tail. When describing an event as a "fluke", it emphasizes the role of chance over skill or planning. According to Ludwig, the term is grammatically correct and usable across various contexts. Its frequency is very common, especially in news and media, but writers should avoid misattributing consistent achievements as a "fluke". Alternatives like ""stroke of luck"" or "chance event" may be preferable in formal settings. The source analysis reveals a strong presence in authoritative news sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stroke of luck

Emphasizes the luck aspect more directly.

chance event

Focuses on the random nature of the occurrence.

lucky break

Highlights the positive outcome resulting from chance.

fortunate accident

Combines the elements of luck and unexpectedness.

happy coincidence

Stresses the simultaneous occurrence of events leading to a favorable outcome.

unexpected success

Emphasizes the surprise element in achieving a positive result.

unforeseen advantage

Highlights the benefit gained from an unanticipated situation.

windfall

Suggests a sudden and substantial gain.

serendipitous discovery

Implies a fortunate finding made by accident.

by happenstance

Indicates something occurred purely by chance.

FAQs

How can I use the word "fluke" in a sentence?

You can use "fluke" to describe a lucky or improbable occurrence, as in "The goal was a "stroke of luck"." It can also refer to a type of flatfish or part of a whale's tail.

What are some synonyms for "fluke" when referring to a lucky event?

Alternatives include ""stroke of luck"", "chance event", or "lucky break". Choose the one that best fits the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "fluke" in formal writing?

While "fluke" is generally acceptable, consider the specific context. In formal writing, phrases like "chance event" or "fortunate accident" might be more suitable depending on the desired tone.

What is the difference between a "fluke" and a planned achievement?

A "fluke" is an event that happens by chance or luck, whereas a planned achievement is the result of deliberate effort and strategy. The two are mutually exclusive.