Flunking: meaning, definitions and examples

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flunking

 

[flʌŋkɪŋ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

academic performance

To fail an exam or course due to poor performance.

Synonyms

bomb, fail, flop.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
flunking

Generally used in an academic setting to describe someone who did very poorly on a test or in a class.

  • If I keep flunking my math tests, I might have to retake the whole course.
  • She was terrified of flunking out of college.
fail

A general term used in various contexts to indicate not meeting expectations or standards. Neutral tone, but can be negative depending on context.

  • She did not study enough and failed the exam.
  • The new product failed to attract customers.
  • I can't believe I failed to complete the project on time.
bomb

Informal term often used to describe extreme failure in various contexts. Can be used in entertainment, business, or academics.

  • The movie bombed at the box office, earning only a fraction of its budget.
  • I bombed the interview and didn't get the job.
  • He bombed the test, scoring one of the lowest grades in the class.
flop

Mostly used in the context of performance, such as movies, shows, or products, to describe something that was expected to succeed but turned out to be a failure.

  • His latest album was a complete flop, selling only a few hundred copies.
  • The stage play was a major flop, closing after just one week.
  • Despite the hype, the new gadget turned out to be a flop.

Examples of usage

  • I'm worried about flunking my math test tomorrow.
  • If you keep skipping classes, you risk flunking the semester.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word 'flunk' originated in American English around the 1930s, derived from the slang of the time which meant to fail.
  • It is believed that 'flunk' may have come from the previous word 'flunkie,' which referred to someone who fails at a task.

Education

  • Studies show that emotional support and motivation from teachers can significantly reduce the chances of students flunking.
  • Many schools have implemented programs to prevent flunking by offering tutoring and peer mentoring.

Psychology

  • Flunking can negatively impact a student’s self-esteem and motivation if not addressed properly.
  • Research indicates that students who flunk may develop anxiety around testing situations, leading to a cycle of poor performance.

Pop Culture

  • In movies and TV shows, flunking often serves as a plot device to depict character struggle and growth.
  • Popular depictions of high school often exaggerate the consequences of flunking, making it a comedic element in many films.

Global Perspectives

  • Different educational systems have unique approaches to handling flunking; some offer second chances, while others have strict policies.
  • In some countries, flunking a year can lead to a significant cultural stigma, impacting the student’s social life.

Translations

Translations of the word "flunking" in other languages:

🇵🇹 reprovação

🇮🇳 असफलता

🇩🇪 Versagen

🇮🇩 kegagalan

🇺🇦 провал

🇵🇱 niepowodzenie

🇯🇵 不合格

🇫🇷 échec

🇪🇸 fracaso

🇹🇷 başarısızlık

🇰🇷 실패

🇸🇦 فشل

🇨🇿 neúspěch

🇸🇰 neúspech

🇨🇳 失败

🇸🇮 neuspeh

🇮🇸 mistök

🇰🇿 сәтсіздік

🇬🇪 წარუმატებლობა

🇦🇿 uğursuzluq

🇲🇽 fracaso

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,574, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.