Phrase guide

flunk out

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To fail to finish school, or a given subject, program or course, due to academic shortcomings; i.e., to have too many flunking or failing grades (marks).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • He flunked out of high school as a youth, but finished school later in life.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

(of an educator or institution) To impose failing grades on (a student), often requiring a retaking of the course or academic year.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Hungarian: kibukik — to fail to finish school, or a given subject, program or course, due to academic shortcomings
  • Polish: wylatywać — to fail to finish school, or a given subject, program or course, due to academic shortcomings
  • Polish: wylecieć — to fail to finish school, or a given subject, program or course, due to academic shortcomings
  • Portuguese: chumbar — to fail to finish school, or a given subject, program or course, due to academic shortcomings
  • Spanish: reprobar — to fail to finish school, or a given subject, program or course, due to academic shortcomings
  • Spanish: improbar — to fail to finish school, or a given subject, program or course, due to academic shortcomings