fluke

A fluke is an unlikely result that happens by chance rather than skill or planning. It often refers to a lucky success or a surprising event that no one expected. For example, a beginner might bowl a strike on their first try by pure chance, and people might call that a fluke. In everyday English, this is the most common meaning of the word.

The word "fluke" most often describes an unlikely event that happens by chance, especially when the result looks better than the effort or skill behind it. In this sense, it is close to a lucky accident, a surprise success, or an unexpected result. If someone wins with a wild shot, guesses the right answer, or succeeds in a way they probably could not repeat, people may say it was a fluke.

That everyday meaning is the one most learners need first, but it is not the only one. "Fluke" can also name a flat parasitic worm, especially one that lives inside animals or humans. In technical or nautical use, it can mean one of the broad parts of an anchor, and it can also refer to the two lobes of a whale's tail. These meanings are much less common in ordinary conversation, but they are standard English.

The tone of the word depends on context. Sometimes it sounds positive, like a lucky break. Sometimes it sounds dismissive, because calling something a fluke suggests it was not earned through real ability and may not happen again. So if a team wins once by a fluke, the speaker often means the result was accidental and not a true sign of strength.