flunkout: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumInformal, chiefly North American. Common in speech among students and educators, less common in formal writing.
Quick answer
What does “flunkout” mean?
To leave school or a course because of failing grades.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To leave school or a course because of failing grades.
To fail to meet required standards, resulting in removal or withdrawal from a program, institution, or activity. Can also describe someone who fails in a broader, often humiliating, way in a non-academic context.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Primarily an American English term. British English speakers are familiar with it through media but are far more likely to use 'drop out' (focusing on leaving) or 'fail'/'be failed' (focusing on the result). The core concept is not alien, but the specific verb is an Americanism.
Connotations
In American English, it carries a strong connotation of shame, disappointment, and personal inadequacy, often used judgmentally. In British contexts where it's adopted, it might retain this connotation or sound like a deliberate use of an American idiom.
Frequency
Very high frequency in American English, especially in educational contexts. Low to medium recognition frequency in British English; low usage frequency.
Grammar
How to Use “flunkout” in a Sentence
SUBJECT + flunk out (intransitive)SUBJECT + flunk out + of + OBJECT (school, course)SUBJECT + flunk out + OBJECT (rare, non-standard: "He flunked out the course.")Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “flunkout” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He was worried he'd flunk out of his engineering course.
- She nearly flunked out in her first year.
American English
- If your GPA falls below 2.0, you'll flunk out.
- He flunked out of State U after two semesters of partying.
adverb
British English
- N/A. Not used as an adverb.
American English
- N/A. Not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- The flunk-out rate for that course is alarming. (noun adjunct)
- He became a flunk-out statistic. (informal)
American English
- She didn't want to be just another flunk-out student.
- They discussed the school's flunk-out policy.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Could be used metaphorically: "He flunked out of the management training program."
Academic
Common in informal speech on campus and in student advising. Rare in official documents (which use 'dismissed for academic reasons').
Everyday
Common in American English when discussing education, family, or personal history. Used judgmentally or sympathetically.
Technical
Not used in technical fields outside of education sociology/psychology as informal terminology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “flunkout”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “flunkout”
- Using it in formal British contexts. Confusing it with 'drop out' (which can be voluntary). Using it transitively without 'of' ("He flunked out school" is non-standard).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is informal, primarily used in spoken American English and informal writing.
It is possible but less common and considered slightly non-standard (e.g., "He flunked out last year"). Using 'flunk out of [institution]' is the standard pattern.
'Drop out' means to leave voluntarily for any reason (financial, personal). 'Flunk out' specifically means to be forced to leave due to academic failure.
Yes, informally, to describe a person who has flunked out (e.g., "He's a college flunkout").
To leave school or a course because of failing grades.
Flunkout: in British English it is pronounced /ˈflʌŋk aʊt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈflʌŋk aʊt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “He's a college flunkout. (noun form, informal)”
- “If you don't study, you'll flunk out on your ear. (rare, intensified)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: FLUNK sounds like a harsh, abrupt failure. OUT means you're out of the institution. You FLUNK so badly you're OUT.
Conceptual Metaphor
EDUCATION IS A TEST. FAILING A TEST IS BEING EJECTED/EXPELLED FROM A CONTAINER (the school).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'flunk out' correctly?