flatter; flattest
1
a
: lying at full length or spread out upon the ground : prostrate
The soldiers were lying flat on the ground.
b
: utterly ruined or destroyed
buildings flat from the blast
c
: resting with a surface against something
Push the chairs flat against the wall.
2
a
: having a continuous horizontal surface
the flat landscape of the prairie
b
: being or characterized by a horizontal line or tracing without peaks or depressions
a flat EEG
3
: having a relatively smooth or even surface
a flat computer disk
4
: arranged or laid out so as to be level or even
maps flat on the desk
5
a
: having the major surfaces essentially parallel and distinctly greater than the minor surfaces
a flat piece of wood
b
of a shoe heel
: very low and broad
flat shoes for work
6
7
a
: lacking in animation, zest, or vigor : dull
He spoke in a flat, tired voice.
b
: lacking flavor : tasteless
The stew is too flat.
c
: lacking effervescence or sparkle
flat ginger ale
d
: commercially inactive
also
: characterized by no significant rise or decline from one period to another
sales were flat
e
of a tire
: lacking air : deflated
f
chiefly British, of a battery
: dead sense 3c, discharged
8
a(1)
of a tone
: lowered a half step in pitch
(2)
: lower than the proper pitch
b
of the vowel a
: pronounced as in bad or bat
9
a
: having a low trajectory (see trajectory sense 1)
made a flat pass that was intercepted
b
of a tennis stroke
: made so as to give little or no spin to the ball
10
: not having an inflectional ending
flat adverbs
11
of a sail
: taut
12
a
: uniform in hue or shade
figures standing out against a background of flat wash
b
: having little or no illusion of depth
c
of a photograph or negative
: lacking contrast
d
of lighting conditions
: lacking shadows or contours
e
: free from gloss : having a nonreflective finish
a flat paint
f
: two-dimensional sense 3
flat characters
13
: of, relating to, or used in competition on the flat
a flat horse
14
of a universe
: having a mass such that expansion halts only after infinite time and collapse never occurs
1
a
: a level surface of land
—usually used in plural
sagebrush flats
tidal flats
b
: a stretch of land without obstacles
especially
: a track or course for a flat race
—usually used with the
has won twice on the flat
2
: a flat part or surface
the flat of one's hand
3
a
: a musical note or tone one half step lower than a specified note or tone
b
: a character ♭ on a line or space of the musical staff indicating a half step drop in pitch
4
: something flat: such as
a
: a shallow container for shipping produce
b
: a shallow box in which seedlings are started
c
: a flat piece of theatrical scenery
d
: a shoe or slipper having a flat heel or no heel
5
chiefly British
: an apartment on one floor
6
: a deflated tire
7
: the area to either side of an offensive football formation
1
: in a flat manner : directly, positively
2
: in a complete manner : absolutely
flat broke
3
: below the proper musical pitch
4
: without interest charge
especially
: without allowance or charge for accrued interest
bonds sold flat
flatted; flatting
: to sing or play below the true pitch
Synonyms
Adjective
Noun
Adverb
Examples of flat in a Sentence
Adjective
the flat top of the table
the flat landscape of the prairie
Coins are usually round and flat.
a flat piece of wood
Noun
the flat of your hand
the flat of a sword
Adverb
Lay the map flat on the desk.
He slipped and landed flat on his back.
We asked for more time but they turned us down flat.
Recent Examples on the Web
CBS News, 9 Apr. 2024
The flat panels also make storing the court a dream.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2024
Both were given flat fees of $12,000, which would amount to just a few dollars an hour for the work required in a capital case.
—Dakin Andone, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024
So, is the flat, rectangular paddle the Dodgers’ new secret weapon?
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2024
Fox wrote a letter to the courts arguing that the flat fee is an issue in this case because it has since been recognized as a violation of American Bar Association guidelines and Missouri Rules of Professional Conduct.
—Ben Brasch, Washington Post, 8 Apr. 2024
And professional and business services added just 7,000 job last month and manufacturing payrolls were flat.
—Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 5 Apr. 2024
But amid a tough budget, strained by factors including flat revenue and the expiration of one-time pandemic aid, some city agencies are bracing for cuts.
—Lauren Lumpkin, Washington Post, 28 Mar. 2024
In order to get air out of the wheel well and lessen lift at highway speeds, the Forester has several aero tricks along its flat sides, despite its boxy design.
—Peter Lyon, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Averi Baudler, Peoplemag, 8 Apr. 2024
Her silver ballet flats, boho bag, and white scrunchy only added to her effortless aesthetic.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 28 Mar. 2024
At 62 percent off in the black option, this orthotic flat is an absolute steal and will serve you well when worn on walking tours, to beach weddings, and more.
—Jennifer Chan, Travel + Leisure, 25 Mar. 2024
Staud Alba leather ballet flats Khaite Maiden leather flats
The Row
Eva flats
Aeyde
Kirsten leather ballet flats
Everlane
Day glove flats
Gucci; The Garment; Miu Miu; Loewe; The Row
Laidback Loafers
Even the loafer likes to take it easy in the warmer months!
—Talia Abbas, Vogue, 22 Mar. 2024
Plant the prepared seeds in a flat of moist potting mix and store in a warm location for 60 days.
—Melinda Myers, Journal Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2024
These are our favorite pairs of mesh ballet flats for 2024, from adjustable Amazon gems to the Khaite flats that sparked the trend.
—Leilani McQuay, Glamour, 21 Mar. 2024
In fact, it might be said the path to statewide political success no longer runs through the hillsides of San Francisco, the flats of Oakland or the sprawl of Silicon Valley.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2024
From classic white sneakers to versatile ballet flats, there’s no such thing as too many pairs of comfortable shoes in a spring wardrobe.
—Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 8 Mar. 2024
Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2024
In addition to under-seat storage, the rear seat folds flat for cargo
Second-row storage includes a flat-folding seat back and storage bins under the seat.
—Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 19 Mar. 2024
Wedding guests often witness overdone, awkward speeches filled with innuendo and inside jokes that fall flat.
—Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 8 Mar. 2024
Hong Kong also overcame losses to end flat, as the Hang Seng Tech Index managed a small gain of +0.14%.
—Brendan Ahern, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
The Cowboys came out flat and had little energy and no answers for Green Bay.
—Rob Maaddi, USA TODAY, 15 Jan. 2024
Mixing in plants with sculptural objects as well as some books and photos really creates a collected look that doesn’t fall flat.
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Feb. 2024
Homes will be able to be ordered online Amazon-style, with customers adding features to their cart and the order sent to a warehouse where all the elements will be flat packed and shipped ready to install.
—Andrea Darr, Kansas City Star, 26 Jan. 2024
But prosecutors urged jurors to remain focused on what had happened in and directly outside the car, and Mr. Majors’s arguments appear to fall flat.
—Erin Nolan, New York Times, 18 Dec. 2023
Christopher Michel, Country Living, 20 Apr. 2022
By flatting the top, more main string gets lengthened, also improving control.
—Tim Newcomb, Popular Mechanics, 21 Jan. 2020
Lead is harmful at any dose, and especially toxic to the nervous system; arsenic can flat-out kill you, the inspector general wrote.
—Zoë Schlanger, Quartz, 19 Nov. 2019
The main assumptions are 11 million barrels a day of crude oil production, Brent flat at $65 a barrel, net refining margins of $3 a barrel and chemicals net margins of $100 a tonne.
—Washington Post, 4 Oct. 2019
Brian Snyder, Arizona Republic One can flat shoot it.
—Duane Rankin, azcentral, 3 July 2019
Thoughtfully, my mother suspected this might be the case, and a few days before the wedding found an ideal backup: Manolo Blahnik flats with ample space for injured toes.
—Alexandra MacOn, Vogue, 12 July 2019
Plus, the dude can flat-out sing, though no one else matches his pitch-perfect acting turn.
—USA TODAY, 26 June 2019
The fashionable royal has shown us that flats like knee-high boots and sneakers can be just as stylish (and functional) on the job, and yesterday was no exception.
—Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, 29 Mar. 2019
Adjective
The pair of public defenders were paid a $12,000 flat fee that provided them with no incentive to invest time in his case, the appeal said.
—CBS News, 9 Apr. 2024
The flat panels also make storing the court a dream.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2024
Both were given flat fees of $12,000, which would amount to just a few dollars an hour for the work required in a capital case.
—Dakin Andone, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024
So, is the flat, rectangular paddle the Dodgers’ new secret weapon?
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2024
Fox wrote a letter to the courts arguing that the flat fee is an issue in this case because it has since been recognized as a violation of American Bar Association guidelines and Missouri Rules of Professional Conduct.
—Ben Brasch, Washington Post, 8 Apr. 2024
And professional and business services added just 7,000 job last month and manufacturing payrolls were flat.
—Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 5 Apr. 2024
But amid a tough budget, strained by factors including flat revenue and the expiration of one-time pandemic aid, some city agencies are bracing for cuts.
—Lauren Lumpkin, Washington Post, 28 Mar. 2024
In order to get air out of the wheel well and lessen lift at highway speeds, the Forester has several aero tricks along its flat sides, despite its boxy design.
—Peter Lyon, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Noun
Keep shopping for more of our favorite ballet flats below.
—Averi Baudler, Peoplemag, 8 Apr. 2024
Her silver ballet flats, boho bag, and white scrunchy only added to her effortless aesthetic.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 28 Mar. 2024
At 62 percent off in the black option, this orthotic flat is an absolute steal and will serve you well when worn on walking tours, to beach weddings, and more.
—Jennifer Chan, Travel + Leisure, 25 Mar. 2024
Staud Alba leather ballet flats Khaite Maiden leather flats
The Row
Eva flats
Aeyde
Kirsten leather ballet flats
Everlane
Day glove flats
Gucci; The Garment; Miu Miu; Loewe; The Row
Laidback Loafers
Even the loafer likes to take it easy in the warmer months!
—Talia Abbas, Vogue, 22 Mar. 2024
Plant the prepared seeds in a flat of moist potting mix and store in a warm location for 60 days.
—Melinda Myers, Journal Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2024
These are our favorite pairs of mesh ballet flats for 2024, from adjustable Amazon gems to the Khaite flats that sparked the trend.
—Leilani McQuay, Glamour, 21 Mar. 2024
In fact, it might be said the path to statewide political success no longer runs through the hillsides of San Francisco, the flats of Oakland or the sprawl of Silicon Valley.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2024
From classic white sneakers to versatile ballet flats, there’s no such thing as too many pairs of comfortable shoes in a spring wardrobe.
—Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 8 Mar. 2024
Adverb
There would be eight more during the regular season in similar fashion, leading or being within a point in the second half, then falling flat down the stretch, missing a free throw, turning it over, failing to grab a rebound.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2024
In addition to under-seat storage, the rear seat folds flat for cargo
Second-row storage includes a flat-folding seat back and storage bins under the seat.
—Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 19 Mar. 2024
Wedding guests often witness overdone, awkward speeches filled with innuendo and inside jokes that fall flat.
—Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 8 Mar. 2024
Hong Kong also overcame losses to end flat, as the Hang Seng Tech Index managed a small gain of +0.14%.
—Brendan Ahern, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
The Cowboys came out flat and had little energy and no answers for Green Bay.
—Rob Maaddi, USA TODAY, 15 Jan. 2024
Mixing in plants with sculptural objects as well as some books and photos really creates a collected look that doesn’t fall flat.
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Feb. 2024
Homes will be able to be ordered online Amazon-style, with customers adding features to their cart and the order sent to a warehouse where all the elements will be flat packed and shipped ready to install.
—Andrea Darr, Kansas City Star, 26 Jan. 2024
But prosecutors urged jurors to remain focused on what had happened in and directly outside the car, and Mr. Majors’s arguments appear to fall flat.
—Erin Nolan, New York Times, 18 Dec. 2023
Verb
The process is pretty straightforward: Find a rough surface, and place the top of the can flat against it.
—Christopher Michel, Country Living, 20 Apr. 2022
By flatting the top, more main string gets lengthened, also improving control.
—Tim Newcomb, Popular Mechanics, 21 Jan. 2020
Lead is harmful at any dose, and especially toxic to the nervous system; arsenic can flat-out kill you, the inspector general wrote.
—Zoë Schlanger, Quartz, 19 Nov. 2019
The main assumptions are 11 million barrels a day of crude oil production, Brent flat at $65 a barrel, net refining margins of $3 a barrel and chemicals net margins of $100 a tonne.
—Washington Post, 4 Oct. 2019
Brian Snyder, Arizona Republic One can flat shoot it.
—Duane Rankin, azcentral, 3 July 2019
Thoughtfully, my mother suspected this might be the case, and a few days before the wedding found an ideal backup: Manolo Blahnik flats with ample space for injured toes.
—Alexandra MacOn, Vogue, 12 July 2019
Plus, the dude can flat-out sing, though no one else matches his pitch-perfect acting turn.
—USA TODAY, 26 June 2019
The fashionable royal has shown us that flats like knee-high boots and sneakers can be just as stylish (and functional) on the job, and yesterday was no exception.
—Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, 29 Mar. 2019
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'flat.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near flat
Cite this Entry
“Flat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flat. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
flat
adjective
flatter; flattest
1
: being or characterized by a horizontal line or tracing without peaks or depressions
the EEG is ominously flat indicating that her brain function is gone—Don Gold
Don Gold2
: characterized by general impoverishment in the presence of emotion-evoking stimuli
flat affect often occurs in schizophrenia
flatness
noun
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