How to Use flat in a Sentence

flat

1 of 4 adjective
  • Coins are usually round and flat.
  • The jet’s flat floor measures 6 feet tall and the 6’10’-wide cabin is the widest in its class.
    Daniel Cote, Robb Report, 27 Mar. 2024
  • The index declined about 7 percent in the past year and was flat over the past 30 days.
    Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 7 Feb. 2024
  • Some may lean on a flat, leather sandal to get from place to place.
    Kristina Rutkowski, harpersbazaar.com, 31 May 2023
  • The fabric is nice and soft, and the flat seams help prevent chafing.
    Karthika Gupta, Parents, 11 Jan. 2024
  • That's 1 rep. 13 Glute Bridge How to: Lie on back with feet flat against the floor and knees bent, arms at sides.
    Andi Breitowich, Women's Health, 9 Aug. 2023
  • The team’s mishaps and flat play throughout the contest were too much to overcome.
    Julian McWilliams, BostonGlobe.com, 31 May 2023
  • The packable Voyageur Just in Case Tote, which folds flat and fits in a small pouch, is on sale for $119.
    Rachel Trujillo, Travel + Leisure, 4 Jan. 2024
  • Pull the legs apart, place your hands on the breasts, and press firmly, cracking the breastbone so the bird lays flat.
    Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 7 Oct. 2023
  • The 14 miles by bike were more than doable, especially on a flat trail that stayed in the shade.
    The Enquirer, 27 July 2023
  • This is more of a flat seat than an actual chair, and the small legs fold up against the seat when not in use.
    Jessica Booth, Parents, 23 June 2023
  • The first includes a small church with a flat apse — a dome-like addition to the building.
    Moira Ritter, Miami Herald, 21 Feb. 2024
  • Mamie Smith and the beginnings of the flat 78, where (records were) not a cylinder anymore.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 15 May 2023
  • Arms shoulder width apart, palms flat on the floor, elbows straight, weight on your palms and toes.
    Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 25 May 2023
  • Players are allowed to make hits and moves that are now against the rules in flat track derby.
    Chelsea Hylton, Los Angeles Times, 18 July 2023
  • If the Earth is indeed flat, then the water in a large lake or ocean should also be flat.
    Rhett Allain, WIRED, 26 Jan. 2024
  • Make sure the rigid plastic strip, which presses the foam tightly against the door gap, is on the side away from the door and not flat against it.
    Matt Jancer, WIRED, 15 Oct. 2023
  • The original stairway steps were made of log half-rounds, the flat side up, notched into the walls.
    Jeastman, oregonlive, 23 June 2023
  • The downpour pummeled the town’s flat concrete roofs and wide green orchards.
    Louisa Loveluck, Washington Post, 15 Sep. 2023
  • Many of those ideas are now falling flat with investors.
    Jack Pitcher, WSJ, 30 Aug. 2023
  • Both spring clips retract into their slots on the sides of the fan housing and the cover seats flat against the ceiling.
    Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, 17 July 2023
  • Begin walking down the wide, flat dirt path on the left that follows a wooden fence.
    Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Dec. 2023
  • The metal tubing is arranged in a coil, flat against the fan, and ice water is pumped through it, from the cooler.
    Timothy Dahl, Popular Mechanics, 7 Aug. 2023
  • Everybody in the room gets paid the same flat weekly rate rather than their usual scale.
    Josh Rottenberg, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2023
  • Below, the Rhône River Valley snaked wide and flat, like a ribbon shaved off of Iowa.
    Devin Friedman, Travel + Leisure, 11 Nov. 2023
  • Flounder and speckled gobble them up when hopped across a sand or mud flat.
    Joe Cermele, Field & Stream, 4 Jan. 2024
  • The Dow industrials were near flat, down about 10 points.
    Anna Hirtenstein, WSJ, 5 Oct. 2023
  • To decorate: Dip a very small paintbrush into the gel paste from the bottle and paint the outline of the eyes; use a flat angle brush for the iris.
    Kimberly Winter Stern, Kansas City Star, 25 Jan. 2024
  • So, is the flat, rectangular paddle the Dodgers’ new secret weapon?
    Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 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
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flat

2 of 4 noun
  • The first led to a completion to Gee Scott Jr. in the flat.
    Stephen Means, cleveland, 7 Sep. 2023
  • The space on the bottom of the shoe rack can store flats and smaller shoes.
    Tanya Edwards, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Mar. 2023
  • Clooney toured the Venetian canals in a black skater dress and tan flats.
    Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 1 Sep. 2023
  • Searching for a flat that feels just as dressed up as a heel?
    Lauren Hubbard, townandcountrymag.com, 6 May 2023
  • Collins’ look was topped off with a knit beret and light-colored flats.
    Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 29 Nov. 2023
  • Birgitte put the flat of her hand against his chest to shove him inside.
    Thomas Korsgaard, The New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2024
  • The chicest way to wear it is the simple way, with a pair of wide-leg trousers or Levi’s 501s, a T-shirt, and ballet flats.
    Jaclyn Alexandra Cohen, Harper's BAZAAR, 28 Apr. 2023
  • From flats to wedges to lace-up styles, espadrilles are my go-tos for summers in Italy.
    Nneya Richards, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2023
  • The commenter said the wide-leg jeans, linen blazer and suede flats made my outfit too stylish.
    Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 4 Dec. 2023
  • The Princess wore a cream Reiss blazer and suede Boden flats for her visit.
    Brittany Natale, Redbook, 5 May 2023
  • All of these details will pair so well with tights and your favorite flats, heels, or boots.
    Carly Totten, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2023
  • Individual plants and mix-and-match flats available the day of the sale.
    Elaine Rewolinski, Journal Sentinel, 6 Apr. 2023
  • The surrounding mud flats, dunes, and beach are all public land.
    Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 18 Nov. 2023
  • After the first week, upon seeing the state of the couple’s flat, Ruth decides to keep her.
    Jane Hu, The New Yorker, 23 Sep. 2023
  • Ballet flats are still in this year with sky-high heels being run into the ground.
    Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 2 Jan. 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
  • As the play starts, Demetric Felton Jr. will go in orbit motion to stress the flat of the Ravens.
    Lance Reisland, cleveland, 4 Feb. 2023
  • These Skechers flats check all of those boxes and are on sale for only $35.
    Erinne Magee, Travel + Leisure, 3 May 2023
  • Plus, don’t miss out on snagging this $9 shoe shelf that has space for eight pairs of sandals, flats, heels, and wedges.
    Monica Bell, Peoplemag, 28 May 2023
  • Wear it with knee-high boots for brunch, ballet flats (which are all the rage among celebs right now) to the office, or heels for date night.
    Claire Harmeyer, Peoplemag, 27 Sep. 2023
  • The white flats have adorable floral details on the straps, which close easily.
    Phoebe Sklansky, Parents, 5 Mar. 2024
  • Stand with feet hip distance apart with one hand behind your head, and the other flat against your thigh.
    Macaela MacKenzie, Glamour, 26 Jan. 2023
  • Seeing men who aren’t ballerinas in ballet flats this year on the streets will be the true trend test.
    Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 22 Jan. 2024
  • It can easily be dressed up with a pair of heels for a night out on the town or worn with ballet flats for brunch.
    Megan Schaltegger, Peoplemag, 8 Mar. 2024
  • Unlike two years ago, by being outscored by 16 points in the second half, the Bruins flat blew this game.
    Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2023
  • 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
  • Elsewhere, there are some chunky loafers and chic flats from Ganni and Tory Burch.
    Jake Smith, Glamour, 12 July 2023
  • Even when your suitcase is full, there’s a good chance that there’s always room for a pair of slim ballet flats.
    Teddy Minford, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Oct. 2023
  • Two plays later Derius Davis kept the drive alive with a 7 yard catch and run, breaking a tackle in the right flat for a first down at the UM 11.
    Emily Horos, The Arizona Republic, 1 Jan. 2023
  • After the Vogue cover girl was removed from Marie’s Parisian flat, Sutton claims the jobs stopped.
    Diana Falzone, Rolling Stone, 1 Apr. 2023
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flat

3 of 4 adverb
  • Lay the map flat on the desk.
  • We asked for more time but they turned us down flat.
  • He slipped and landed flat on his back.
  • The flat-out lies and the bad science don't stop there.
    Jill Filipovic, CNN, 11 May 2022
  • But the speed and extent of the shift caught them flat-footed.
    David J. Lynch, Washington Post, 28 May 2022
  • New York was caught flat-footed, and the stakes were high.
    Ron Grossman, chicagotribune.com, 3 Mar. 2022
  • Don’t let Austin’s small frame fool you, the kid can flat-out play.
    Jonathan X. Simmons, cleveland, 30 Apr. 2022
  • Musk is the one who’s ‘flat-out stupid’ about Trump on Twitter.
    Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2022
  • But come on, folks — some of these were flat-out careless.
    David Browne, Rolling Stone, 4 Apr. 2022
  • Make your bed with the two single comforters laid out flat, touching the the middle of the bed.
    Veronica Cristino, Vogue, 21 Nov. 2023
  • Coombs said that energy comes from his flat-out love for the game.
    Keith Jenkins, The Enquirer, 7 Mar. 2022
  • Allow your baby to be placed to sleep flat on their back.
    Sarah Bradley, Parents, 10 July 2023
  • Like a flat-out drop on a short inside route early in the scrimmage.
    San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Aug. 2022
  • Keep back flat, abs engaged, and a slight bend in elbows.
    Andi Breitowich, Women's Health, 9 Aug. 2023
  • In the 1960s, Hartford offered the land as a flat-out gift to the city, but for some reason, Mayor Sam Yorty turned him down.
    Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2022
  • Or maybe just call me a girl who wanted to stick it to the suburban bro who called me flat-chested.
    Liana Satenstein, Vogue, 23 Sep. 2022
  • This was the first big blockbuster role for Ciarán Hinds, who's flat-out amazing as the new Russian head of state.
    Darren Franich, EW.com, 1 June 2022
  • Once again the American defense was caught flat-footed as Dumfries zipped the ball toward the front of the goal from the right wing.
    Andrew Keh, New York Times, 3 Dec. 2022
  • Some may also be caught flat-footed by the sharp swings, forced to close out of their positions.
    Gunjan Banerji, WSJ, 23 Dec. 2022
  • But many of the suggestions on these lists are flat-out ludicrous.
    Beth Teitell, BostonGlobe.com, 24 Nov. 2022
  • Facing second-and-19, Bell ran an end-around that caught the Spartans flat-footed and picked up 27 yards and a first down.
    Chris Solari, Detroit Free Press, 15 Oct. 2022
  • But others worry that Eric Smith is still a flat-out threat.
    CBS News, 26 Mar. 2022
  • The tent pops up right out of the case and folds down flat into a circle not much bigger than a Frisbee for storage.
    Rachel Klein, Popular Mechanics, 11 May 2022
  • This mat can be spot cleaned, laid flat to dry, and rolled up with minimal effort.
    Michelle Pugle, Health, 29 Mar. 2023
  • The telephoto lens would flat-out refuse to focus on anything close.
    José Adorno, BGR, 2 Nov. 2022
  • Give your eyes 30-45 minutes to adapt to the dark and take in as much of the sky as possible by lying down flat on your back, Space,com says.
    Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 17 Oct. 2022
  • Chip plants are running flat-out to meet demand but have warned that the problem will not be solved quickly.
    Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 20 Dec. 2022
  • As a result, the country was largely caught flat footed.
    Carrie Cordero, CNN, 24 Feb. 2022
  • The only problem: half-empty cans and bottles of soda that go flat, get warm, and end up wasted.
    G. Clay Whittaker, Bon Appétit, 8 Dec. 2023
  • 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
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flat

4 of 4 verb
  • And his board can reach tighter, shallower spots and motor-free zones that flats boats can’t.
    John Clarke, WSJ, 15 Aug. 2018
  • There's one more option: Trump could flat-out refuse to talk to Mueller in any way and refuse a grand jury subpoena.
    Danny Cevallos, NBC News, 6 Feb. 2018
  • The curve was also this flat a few times where no inversion or recession followed and stocks did well, such as in the mid-1990s.
    James MacKintosh, WSJ, 6 Dec. 2018
  • Get ready to kiss your little leopard flats goodbye because camo-print loafers are going to be your go-to, everyday shoe for sure!
    Jasmine Snow, Seventeen, 12 June 2013
  • Instead, the cycling startup wants to bring to bear a new strategy that gets rid of the bike rack, and perhaps more audaciously, allows members to flat-out own the bikes and make money off each rental.
    John Wenz, Popular Mechanics, 13 Mar. 2015
  • Kerr's status as a self-deprecating spokesman on so many league and world issues sometimes obscures his ability to flat out coach.
    K.c. Johnson, chicagotribune.com, 5 June 2017
  • Trophy hunting was already banned in Kenya and Botswana, but after Cecil's death, Australia flat out banned trophy importation.
    Casey Smith, National Geographic, 20 July 2017
  • At fault, a toxic troika that combines gushing supply with fears that long-term demand will flat-line as electric vehicles and renewable energies grow, and climate change policies proliferate.
    Kevin Crowley and Kelly Gilblom, Houston Chronicle, 24 Apr. 2018
  • And his board can reach tighter, shallower spots and motor-free zones that flats boats can’t.
    John Clarke, WSJ, 15 Aug. 2018
  • There's one more option: Trump could flat-out refuse to talk to Mueller in any way and refuse a grand jury subpoena.
    Danny Cevallos, NBC News, 6 Feb. 2018
  • The curve was also this flat a few times where no inversion or recession followed and stocks did well, such as in the mid-1990s.
    James MacKintosh, WSJ, 6 Dec. 2018
  • Get ready to kiss your little leopard flats goodbye because camo-print loafers are going to be your go-to, everyday shoe for sure!
    Jasmine Snow, Seventeen, 12 June 2013
  • Instead, the cycling startup wants to bring to bear a new strategy that gets rid of the bike rack, and perhaps more audaciously, allows members to flat-out own the bikes and make money off each rental.
    John Wenz, Popular Mechanics, 13 Mar. 2015
  • Kerr's status as a self-deprecating spokesman on so many league and world issues sometimes obscures his ability to flat out coach.
    K.c. Johnson, chicagotribune.com, 5 June 2017
  • Trophy hunting was already banned in Kenya and Botswana, but after Cecil's death, Australia flat out banned trophy importation.
    Casey Smith, National Geographic, 20 July 2017
  • At fault, a toxic troika that combines gushing supply with fears that long-term demand will flat-line as electric vehicles and renewable energies grow, and climate change policies proliferate.
    Kevin Crowley and Kelly Gilblom, Houston Chronicle, 24 Apr. 2018
  • And his board can reach tighter, shallower spots and motor-free zones that flats boats can’t.
    John Clarke, WSJ, 15 Aug. 2018
  • There's one more option: Trump could flat-out refuse to talk to Mueller in any way and refuse a grand jury subpoena.
    Danny Cevallos, NBC News, 6 Feb. 2018
  • The curve was also this flat a few times where no inversion or recession followed and stocks did well, such as in the mid-1990s.
    James MacKintosh, WSJ, 6 Dec. 2018
  • Get ready to kiss your little leopard flats goodbye because camo-print loafers are going to be your go-to, everyday shoe for sure!
    Jasmine Snow, Seventeen, 12 June 2013
  • Instead, the cycling startup wants to bring to bear a new strategy that gets rid of the bike rack, and perhaps more audaciously, allows members to flat-out own the bikes and make money off each rental.
    John Wenz, Popular Mechanics, 13 Mar. 2015
  • Kerr's status as a self-deprecating spokesman on so many league and world issues sometimes obscures his ability to flat out coach.
    K.c. Johnson, chicagotribune.com, 5 June 2017
  • Trophy hunting was already banned in Kenya and Botswana, but after Cecil's death, Australia flat out banned trophy importation.
    Casey Smith, National Geographic, 20 July 2017
  • At fault, a toxic troika that combines gushing supply with fears that long-term demand will flat-line as electric vehicles and renewable energies grow, and climate change policies proliferate.
    Kevin Crowley and Kelly Gilblom, Houston Chronicle, 24 Apr. 2018
  • And his board can reach tighter, shallower spots and motor-free zones that flats boats can’t.
    John Clarke, WSJ, 15 Aug. 2018
  • There's one more option: Trump could flat-out refuse to talk to Mueller in any way and refuse a grand jury subpoena.
    Danny Cevallos, NBC News, 6 Feb. 2018
  • The curve was also this flat a few times where no inversion or recession followed and stocks did well, such as in the mid-1990s.
    James MacKintosh, WSJ, 6 Dec. 2018
  • Get ready to kiss your little leopard flats goodbye because camo-print loafers are going to be your go-to, everyday shoe for sure!
    Jasmine Snow, Seventeen, 12 June 2013
  • Instead, the cycling startup wants to bring to bear a new strategy that gets rid of the bike rack, and perhaps more audaciously, allows members to flat-out own the bikes and make money off each rental.
    John Wenz, Popular Mechanics, 13 Mar. 2015
  • Kerr's status as a self-deprecating spokesman on so many league and world issues sometimes obscures his ability to flat out coach.
    K.c. Johnson, chicagotribune.com, 5 June 2017

Some of 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.

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