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
Trefis Team, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
There’s no need to push aside furniture for a thorough clean as this style lies completely flat to slide under beds, sofas, and dining tables, thanks to its front-facing dustbin.
—Maggie Horton, People.com, 19 Nov. 2024
Christina Holevas, Vogue, 20 Nov. 2024
The abduction is depicted as a raid on her flat led by a group of her neighbors, some masked, some not.
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 16 Nov. 2024
Megan Stringer, Axios, 4 Nov. 2024
The team showed sustained fight one week after being knocked flat.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2024
Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2024
Vince Leah ballerina flats $275 $192 AMAZON Elegant, modern, yet classic—these matte ballet flats are crafted with a square-toe for a polished finish.
—Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for flat 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
Revenues are expected to contract this year and remain flat next year per consensus estimates.
—Trefis Team, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
There’s no need to push aside furniture for a thorough clean as this style lies completely flat to slide under beds, sofas, and dining tables, thanks to its front-facing dustbin.
—Maggie Horton, People.com, 19 Nov. 2024
Noun
Our favorites range from the ultra classic—simple, leather ballet flats with a sweet little bow—to sleek, slipper styles, and Mary Jane flats.
—Christina Holevas, Vogue, 20 Nov. 2024
The abduction is depicted as a raid on her flat led by a group of her neighbors, some masked, some not.
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 16 Nov. 2024
Adverb
In 2022, the craft beer industry fell flat, showing no growth for the first time since the pandemic.
—Megan Stringer, Axios, 4 Nov. 2024
The team showed sustained fight one week after being knocked flat.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2024
Verb
Vince Venice flats $330 $231 AMAZON Set on a low heel for all-day strolling, Vince’s sleek Venice slingback is crafted in a pale, creamy buttery leather.
—Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2024
Vince Leah ballerina flats $275 $192 AMAZON Elegant, modern, yet classic—these matte ballet flats are crafted with a square-toe for a polished finish.
—Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for flat
Dictionary Entries Near flat
Cite this Entry
“Flat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flat. Accessed 28 Nov. 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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