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Lucky vs Fluke - What's the difference?

lucky | fluke |

As an adjective lucky

is favoured by luck; fortunate; meeting with good success or good fortune. Said of persons.

As a noun fluke is

a lucky or improbable occurrence, with the implication that the occurrence could not be repeated.

As a verb fluke is

to obtain a successful outcome by pure chance.

As a proper noun Fluke is

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lucky

English

Adjective

(er)
  • Favoured by luck; fortunate; meeting with good success or good fortune. Said of persons.
    • a lucky adventurer
    The downed pilot is very lucky to be alive.
  • Producing, or resulting in, good chance, or unexpectedly; favorable; auspicious; fortunate.
    • a lucky mistake
    a lucky cast
    a lucky hour

    Quotations

    * 1989 , Howard Ashman, “Under the Sea”, The Little Mermaid , Walt Disney Feature Animation *: They sad ’cause they in their bowl / But fish in the bowl is lucky / They in for a worser fate

    Synonyms

    * (favored by luck ): fortunate, successful * (producing or resulting in good chance ): auspicious, favorable/favourable, fortunate, fortuitous

    Derived terms

    * get lucky * lucky dip * lucky you * should be so lucky

    fluke

    English

    Etymology 1

    Of uncertain or obscure origin. It seems to have originally referred to a lucky shot at billiards.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A lucky or improbable occurrence, with the implication that the occurrence could not be repeated.
    • The first goal was just a fluke .

    Verb

    (fluk)
  • To obtain a successful outcome by pure chance.
    • I fluked a pass in the multiple-choice exam.
  • (snooker) To fortuitously pot a ball in an unintended way.
    • He fluked the other red into the middle pocket, despite the double kiss.

    Related terms

    * flukey/fluky

    Etymology 2

    (etyl)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A flounder.
  • A trematode; a parasitic flatworm of the Trematoda class, related to the tapeworm.
    • The man had become infected with flukes after eating a meal of raw fish.
    Related terms
    * flukeworm

    Etymology 3

    Possibly as Etymology 2 or from (etyl)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Either of the two lobes of a whale's or similar creature's tail.
    • The dolphin had an open wound on the left fluke of its tail where the propeller had injured it.
  • (nautical) Any of the triangular blades at the end of an anchor, designed to catch the ground.
    • The fluke of the anchor was wedged between two outcroppings of rock and could not be dislodged.
  • A metal hook on the head of certain staff weapons (such as a ), made in various forms depending on function, whether used for grappling or to penetrate armour when swung at an opponent.
    • The polearm had a wide, sharpened fluke attached to the central point.
  • In general, a winglike formation on a central piece.
    • After casting the bronze statue, we filed down the flukes and spurs from the molding process.
    Derived terms
    * turn flukes

    References

    * Wikipedia article on trematode