flat
13 ENTRIES FOUND:
flatter;
flattest
flatter;
flattest
Britannica Dictionary definition of FLAT
1
:
having a smooth, level, or even surface
:
not having curves or bumps
-
flat ground
-
the flat top of the table
-
the flat landscape of the prairie
-
a flat stomach
-
a flat wall
2
:
having a wide, smooth surface and little thickness
-
Coins are usually round and flat.
-
small, flat computer disks
-
a flat piece of wood
3
of a shoe heel
:
very low and wide
also
of a shoe
:
having a flat heel or no heel
-
wearing flat shoes
4
:
spread out on or along a surface
-
The soldiers were lying flat on the ground.
-
He was (lying) flat on his back.
5
:
very clear and definite
:
absolute
-
a flat refusal
-
His comments were a flat contradiction of his sister's statement.
◊ In British English the expression and that's flat! is used to stress that a statement or decision is definite and will not be changed.
-
I'm not going to do it and that's flat! [=and that's that]
6
a
:
not changing in amount
-
They charged a flat rate for their services.
-
a flat [=fixed] fee
-
Ticket sales have been/remained flat. [=have not increased or decreased]
-
flat profits
-
a flat tax [=a tax that is paid at the same rate by everyone]
b
:
not having much business activity
-
The market is very flat for this time of year.
7
:
not having much interest or energy
:
dull
-
flat writing
-
a flat performance
-
He spoke in a flat, tired voice.
8
of a drink
:
no longer having bubbles
-
This beer is flat. = This beer has gone flat.
-
flat ginger ale
-
flat champagne
9
of a tire
:
not having enough air
-
I got a flat tire from a nail in the street.
-
The tire was (slightly) flat.
11
of lighting conditions
:
not producing strong shadows
-
a portrait taken in flat lighting
12
13
British, of a battery
:
no longer producing electricity
:
dead
-
The battery has gone flat. [=(US) the battery is dead; the battery has died]
(as) flat as a pancake
informal
:
very flat
-
The land there is as flat as a pancake.
-
The tire was flat as a pancake.
— flatly
adverb-
He flatly refuses to talk about it.
-
Lay the map flatly on the desk.
-
She has flatly denied the accusations.
— flatness
noun [noncount]
2
flat
/ˈflæt/
noun
plural
flats
2
flat
/ˈflæt/
noun
plural
flats
Britannica Dictionary definition of FLAT
[count]
1
:
a level area of land
— usually plural
-
salt flats
-
tidal flats
2
:
a flat part or surface
-
the flat of your hand
-
the flat of a sword
3
a
:
a musical note that is one semitone lower than a specified note
4
US
:
a shallow box in which young plants are grown
5
chiefly US
:
a shoe or slipper that has a flat heel or no heel
— usually plural
-
She wore a casual dress and flats to the show.
6
chiefly British
:
an apartment typically on one floor
—
compare apartment
-
They moved out of their old flat.
7
:
a tire that does not have enough air
-
I drove over a nail and got a flat.
-
fix a flat
3
flat
/ˈflæt/
adverb
3
flat
/ˈflæt/
adverb
Britannica Dictionary definition of FLAT
1
a
:
on or against a flat surface
-
Lay the map flat on the desk.
b
:
in the position of someone or something that is lying spread out on the ground or another surface
-
He slipped and landed/fell flat on his back/face.
2
:
exactly or precisely
— used to describe something that happens quickly
-
He got there in two minutes flat.
-
in 10 seconds flat
-
She finished her homework in nothing flat. [=in no time at all; very quickly]
3
informal
:
completely or absolutely
—
see also flat out
-
We asked for more time but they turned us down flat.
-
(US) If you ask me, what they're doing is flat wrong.
-
I'm flat broke. [=I have no money]
4
