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Contents
flat definition
Overview
This page has 69 definitions of flat with English translations in 6 languages. Flat is an adjective, an adverb, noun and verb. Examples of how to use flat in a sentence are shown. Also define these 108 related words and terms: height, music, semitone, puncture, uninteresting, carbonated, carbon dioxide, solution, fizz, bubble, wine, acidity, sweet, dead, juggling, spinless, absolute, downright, peremptory, phonetics, consonant, sonant, vocal, sharp, grammar, inflectional, noun, formative, infinitive, golf, golf club, head, obtuse angle, shaft, horticulture, fruit, depth, substance, believability, underdeveloped, one-dimensional, round, flesh out, finance, accrue, interest, level, natural, ♭, automotive, tyre, tire, painting, watercolor, watercolour, blade, edge, palm, hand, finger, wide, shallow, container, pallet, mail, catalog, magazine, envelope, rail transport, flatcar, geometry, subset, congruent, Euclidean space, dimension, flat sheet, mining, rectangular, masonite, lauan, muslin, scene, backcloth, backdrop, entomology, hesperiid, toy, soldier, poker, slang, flat call, call, raise, pitch, apartment, beat, strike, pound, dash, throw, rush, tower block, flo, flat, flitan, saucer, spineless, and doormat.
English flat definition
Pronunciation
Etymology 1
From Middle English flat, a borrowing from Old Norse flatr[1] (compare Norwegian and Swedish flat, Danish flad), from Proto-Germanic *flataz, from Proto-Indo-European *pleth₂- (“flat”); akin to Saterland Frisian flot (“smooth”), German Flöz (“a geological layer”), Ancient Greek πλατύς (platús), Latvian plats, Sanskrit प्रथस् (prathas, “extension”)[2]. Doublet of plat and pleyt.
Alternative forms
Adjective
flat (comparative flatter, superlative flattest)
- Having no variations in height.
- 1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 17, in The China Governess[1]:
- The face which emerged was not reassuring. It was blunt and grey, the nose springing thick and flat from high on the frontal bone of the forehead, whilst his eyes were narrow slits of dark in a tight bandage of tissue. […].
- The land around here is flat.
- (music, voice) Without variations in pitch.
- (slang) Having small or invisible breasts and/or buttocks.
- That girl is completely flat on both sides.
- (music, note) Lowered by one semitone.
Semitone definition
The musical interval equal (exactly or approximately) to half a tone or one-twelfth of an octave (1 of 2 semitone definitions)
- (music) Of a note or voice, lower in pitch than it should be.
- Your A string is too flat.
- (of a tire or other inflated object) Deflated, especially because of a puncture.
Puncture definition
The act or an instance of puncturing. (1 of 3 puncture definitions)
- Uninteresting.
- The party was a bit flat.
- February 16, 1833, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Table Talk
- A large part of the work is, to me, very flat.
- c. 1599–1602, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, OCLC 606515358, [Act I, scene ii]:
- How weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable / Seem to me all the uses of this world.
- (of a carbonated drink) With all or most of its carbon dioxide having come out of solution so that the drink no longer fizzes or contains any bubbles.
Carbonated definition
Containing carbon dioxide gas under pressure, especially pertaining to beverages, as natural mineral water or man-made drinks.
Carbon Dioxide definition
The normal oxide of carbon, CO₂; a colorless, odorless gas formed during respiration and combustion and consumed by plants during photosynthesis.
Solution definition
A homogeneous mixture, which may be liquid, gas or solid, formed by dissolving one or more substances. (1 of 7 solution definitions)
Bubble definition
A spherically contained volume of air or other gas, especially one made from soapy liquid. (1 of 15 bubble definitions)
- (wine) Lacking acidity without being sweet.
Wine definition
An alcoholic beverage made by fermenting the juice of grapes. (1 of 4 wine definitions)
Sweet definition
Having a pleasant taste, especially one relating to the basic taste sensation induced by sugar. (1 of 15 sweet definitions)
- (of a battery) Unable to emit power; dead.
- (juggling, of a throw) Without spin; spinless.
Juggling definition
present participle of juggle
Spinless definition
Without spin.
- (figurative) Lacking liveliness or action; depressed; dull and boring.
- The market is flat.
- The dialogue in your screenplay is flat -- you need to make it more exciting.
- Absolute; downright; peremptory.
- His claim was in flat contradiction to experimental results.
- I'm not going to the party and that's flat.
- c. 1598, William Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing, Act IV, Scene 2,[2]
- SECOND WATCH. Marry, that he had received a thousand ducats of Don John for accusing the Lady Hero wrongfully.
- DOGBERRY. Flat burglary as ever was committed
- 1602, John Marston, Antonio and Mellida, Malone Society Reprint, 1921, Act I, lines 324-326,[3]
- He is made like a tilting staffe; and lookes
- For all the world like an ore-rosted pigge:
- A great Tobacco taker too, thats flat.
Absolute definition
Free of restrictions, limitations, qualifications or conditions; unconditional.- Unrestricted by laws, a constitution, or parliamentary or judicial or other checks; (legally) unlimited in power, especially if despotic.
- Characteristic of an absolutist ruler: domineering, peremptory.
- Unrestricted by laws, a constitution, or parliamentary or judicial or other checks; (legally) unlimited in power, especially if despotic.
Downright definition
Directed vertically; coming straight down. (1 of 4 downright definitions)
Peremptory definition
Precluding debate or expostulation; not admitting of question or appeal (1 of 4 peremptory definitions)
- (phonetics, dated, of a consonant) sonant; vocal, as distinguished from a sharp (non-sonant) consonant
Sonant definition
Of or pertaining to sound; sounding. (1 of 2 sonant definitions)
Sharp definition
Terminating in a point or edge, especially one that can cut easily; not obtuse or rounded. (1 of 22 sharp definitions)
- (grammar) Not having an inflectional ending or sign, such as a noun used as an adjective, or an adjective as an adverb, without the addition of a formative suffix; or an infinitive without the sign "to".
- Many flat adverbs, as in 'run fast', 'buy cheap', etc. are from Old English.
Grammar definition
A system of rules and principles for speaking and writing a language. (1 of 9 grammar definitions)
Formative definition
Of or pertaining to the formation and subsequent growth of something. (1 of 5 formative definitions)
Infinitive definition
the infinitive mood or mode (a grammatical mood) (1 of 3 infinitive definitions)
- (golf, of a golf club) Having a head at a very obtuse angle to the shaft.
Golf definition
A ball game played by individuals competing against one another in which the object is to hit a ball into each of a series of (usually 18 or nine) holes in the minimum number of strokes. (1 of 2 golf definitions)
Golf Club definition
In golf, the implement used to hit the golf ball. (1 of 2 golf club definitions)
- (horticulture, of certain fruits) Flattening at the ends.
Horticulture definition
The art or science of cultivating gardens; gardening. (1 of 2 horticulture definitions)
Fruit definition
In general, a product of plant growth useful to man or animals. (1 of 9 fruit definitions)
- (authorship, figurative, especially of a character) Lacking in depth, substance, or believability; underdeveloped; one-dimensional.
Depth definition
the vertical distance below a surface; the degree to which something is deep (1 of 13 depth definitions)
Believability definition
The state or quality of being believable.
One-Dimensional definition
Having length, but no width, height or depth. (1 of 3 one-dimensional definitions)
Round definition
Shape.- Circular or cylindrical; having a circular cross-section in one direction. (1 of 14 round definitions)
- (commerce, not comparable) Fixed; unvarying.
- a flat fee
- flat rates
- a flat fare on public transport
Synonyms
- (having no variations in altitude): even, planar, plane, smooth, uniform
- (deflated): deflated, punctured
- (without variations in pitch): monotone
- (uninteresting): boring, dull, uninteresting; see also Thesaurus:boring
- (of a carbonated drink: no longer fizzes): still, unfizzy; see also Thesaurus:noneffervescent
- (of wine: lacking acidity): flabby
Antonyms
- (having no variations in altitude): bumpy, cratered, hilly (of terrain), rough (of a surface), wrinkled (of a surface)
- (music: lowered by one semitone): sharp
- (music: lower in pitch than it should be): sharp
Derived terms
Related terms
- flat as a pancake
- flat out
- flat rate
- flat tax
- that's flat
Translations
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- The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables, removing any numbers. Numbers do not necessarily match those in definitions. See instructions at Dictionary:Entry layout § Translations.
Adverb
flat (comparative more flat, superlative most flat)
- So as to be flat.
- Spread the tablecloth flat over the table.
- Bluntly.
- I asked him if he wanted to marry me and he turned me down flat.
- (with units of time, distance, etc) Not exceeding.
- 1996, Jon Byrell, Lairs, Urgers and Coat-Tuggers, Sydney: Ironbark, page 186:
- Dan Patch clocked a scorching 1:55.5 flat.
- He can run a mile in four minutes flat.
- Completely.
- I am flat broke this month.
- Directly; flatly.
- 1633, George Herbert, The Temple
- Sin is flat opposite to the Almighty.
- 1633, George Herbert, The Temple
- (finance, slang) Without allowance for accrued interest.
Interest definition
The price paid for obtaining, or price received for providing, money or goods in a credit transaction, calculated as a fraction of the amount or value of what was borrowed. (1 of 9 interest definitions)
Synonyms
- (so as to be flat):
- (bluntly): bluntly, curtly
- (not exceeding): tops
- (completely): absolutely, completely, utterly
Translations
Noun
flat (plural flats)
- An area of level ground.
- 1625, Francis Bacon, Of Envy
- Envy is as the sunbeams that beat hotter upon a bank, or steep rising ground, than upon a flat.
- 1913, Joseph C. Lincoln, chapter 3, in Mr. Pratt's Patients:
- My hopes wa'n't disappointed. I never saw clams thicker than they was along them inshore flats. I filled my dreener in no time, and then it come to me that 'twouldn't be a bad idee to get a lot more, take 'em with me to Wellmouth, and peddle 'em out. Clams was fairly scarce over that side of the bay and ought to fetch a fair price.
- 1625, Francis Bacon, Of Envy
- (music) A note played a semitone lower than a natural, denoted by the symbol ♭ placed after the letter representing the note (e.g., B♭) or in front of the note symbol (e.g. ♭♪).
Natural definition
That exists and evolved within the confines of an ecosystem. (1 of 15 natural definitions)
- (UK, Aust) An apartment in a multi-storey building. I'm living in a flat in a block of flats in the city.
- (informal, automotive) A flat tyre/tire.
- 2012, July 15. Richard Williams in Guardian Unlimited, Tour de France 2012: Carpet tacks cannot force Bradley Wiggins off track
- The next one surrendered his bike, only for that, too, to give him a second flat as he started the descent.
Automotive definition
Having the ability to move by itself; self-propelled or self-propelling. (1 of 2 automotive definitions)
Tyre definition
The ring-shaped protective covering around a wheel which is usually made of rubber or plastic composite and is either pneumatic or solid. (1 of 2 tyre definitions)
- 2012, July 15. Richard Williams in Guardian Unlimited, Tour de France 2012: Carpet tacks cannot force Bradley Wiggins off track
- (in the plural) A type of ladies' shoes with very low heels.
- She liked to walk in her flats more than in her high heels.
- (in the plural) A type of flat-soled running shoe without spikes.
- (painting) A thin, broad brush used in oil and watercolor/watercolour painting.
Painting definition
present participle of paint
Watercolor definition
A painting technique using paint made of colorants suspended or dissolved in water. (1 of 3 watercolor definitions)
- The flat part of something:
- (swordfighting) The flat side of a blade, as opposed to the sharp edge.
- The palm of the hand, with the adjacent part of the fingers.
Blade definition
The sharp cutting edge of a knife, chisel, or other tool, a razor blade/sword. (1 of 23 blade definitions)
Hand definition
The part of the forelimb below the forearm or wrist in a human, and the corresponding part in many other animals. (1 of 30 hand definitions)
- A wide, shallow container or pallet.
- a flat of strawberries
Wide definition
Having a large physical extent from side to side. (1 of 9 wide definitions)
Shallow definition
Having little depth; significantly less deep than wide. (1 of 7 shallow definitions)
Pallet definition
A portable platform, usually designed to be easily moved by a forklift, on which goods can be stacked, for transport or storage. (1 of 3 pallet definitions)
- (mail) A large mail piece measuring at least 8 1/2 by 11 inches, such as catalogs, magazines, and unfolded paper enclosed in large envelopes.
Magazine definition
A non-academic periodical publication, generally consisting of sheets of paper folded in half and stapled at the fold. (1 of 7 magazine definitions)
Envelope definition
A paper or cardboard wrapper used to enclose small, flat items, especially letters, for mailing. (1 of 11 envelope definitions)
- (rail transport, US) A railroad car without a roof, and whose body is a platform without sides; a platform car or flatcar.
Rail Transport definition
The transport of passengers and goods by means of wheeled vehicles specially designed to run along railways or railroads.
- A flat-bottomed boat, without keel, and of small draught.
- (geometry) A subset of n-dimensional space that is congruent to a Euclidean space of lower dimension.
Geometry definition
The branch of mathematics dealing with spatial relationships. (1 of 3 geometry definitions)
Subset definition
A set A such that every element of A is also an element of S. (1 of 2 subset definitions)
Euclidean Space definition
Ordinary two- or three-dimensional space, characterised by an infinite extent along each dimension and a constant distance between any pair of parallel lines. (1 of 2 Euclidean space definitions)
Dimension definition
A single aspect of a given thing. (Can we add an example for this sense?) (1 of 8 dimension definitions)
- A straw hat, broad-brimmed and low-crowned.
- A flat sheet for use on a bed.
- 1986, New York Magazine (volume 19, number 49, page 20)
- You might think that Americans buy roughly the same number of fitted sheets as flats. Or, considering the market for electric blankets, duvets, and other covers, that consumers buy even more bottom sheets, simply forgoing the tops.
Flat Sheet definition
A bedsheet that lies flat over the mattress, not elasticated like a fitted sheet.
- 1986, New York Magazine (volume 19, number 49, page 20)
- A platform on a wheel, upon which emblematic designs etc. are carried in processions.
- (mining) A horizontal vein or ore deposit auxiliary to a main vein; also, any horizontal portion of a vein not elsewhere horizontal.
- (Can we find and add a quotation of Raymond to this entry?)
Mining definition
The activity of removing solid valuables from the earth. (1 of 4 mining definitions)
- (obsolete) A dull fellow; a simpleton.
- 1836, Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr., "The Music-Grinders":
- ... if you cannot make a speech,
- Because you are a flat,
- Go very quietly and drop
- A button in the hat!
- 1848, William Makepeace Thackeray, Vanity Fair, Chapter 14:
- "He fancies he can play at billiards," said he. "I won two hundred of him at the Cocoa-Tree. HE play, the young flat! ..."
- 1836, Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr., "The Music-Grinders":
- (technical, theatre) A rectangular wooden structure covered with masonite, lauan, or muslin that depicts a building or other part of a scene, also called backcloth and backdrop.
Masonite definition
A type of hardboard formed using wooden chips and blasting them into long fibers with steam and then forming them into boards.
Lauan definition
Any of several types of light wood, resembling mahogany, from various trees from the Philippines and Malaysia.
Muslin definition
Any of several varieties of thin cotton cloth. (1 of 6 muslin definitions)
- (entomology) Any of various hesperiid butterflies that spread their wings open when they land.
Entomology definition
The scientific study of insects, and of other arthropods (and occasionally other invertebrates).
Hesperiid definition
Any member of the Hesperiidae.
- (historical) An early kind of toy soldier having a flat design.
- 2019, Luigi Toiati, The History of Toy Soldiers (page 78)
- Among the many US museums hosting flats, we may mention the Toy Soldier Museum in the Pocono Mountains, supervised by the historian, collector and dealer J. Hillestad.
Toy definition
Something to play with, especially as intended for use by a child. (1 of 9 toy definitions)
- 2019, Luigi Toiati, The History of Toy Soldiers (page 78)
Antonyms
- (note): sharp
- (shoes): high heels
Derived terms
Translations
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- The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables, removing any numbers. Numbers do not necessarily match those in definitions. See instructions at Dictionary:Entry layout § Translations.
Verb
flat (third-person singular simple present flats, present participle flatting, simple past and past participle flatted)
- (poker slang) To make a flat call; to call without raising.
Poker definition
A metal rod, generally of wrought iron, for adjusting the burning logs or coals in a fire; a firestick. (1 of 4 poker definitions)
Slang definition
Language outside of conventional usage and in the informal register. (1 of 5 slang definitions)
- (intransitive) To become flat or flattened; to sink or fall to an even surface.
- (Can we find and add a quotation of Sir W. Temple to this entry?)
- (intransitive, music, colloquial) To fall from the pitch.
- (transitive, music) To depress in tone, as a musical note; especially, to lower in pitch by half a tone.
- (transitive, dated) To make flat; to flatten; to level.
- 1764, James Granger, M.D., The Sugar-Cane: a Poem. In Four Books. With Notes. Book 1, page 44, note to verse 605.
- The pods, which seldom contain less than thirty nuts of the size of a flatted olive, grow upon the stem and principal branches.
- 1764, James Granger, M.D., The Sugar-Cane: a Poem. In Four Books. With Notes. Book 1, page 44, note to verse 605.
- (transitive, dated) To render dull, insipid, or spiritless; to depress.
- a. 1677, Isaac Barrow, The Danger and Mischief of Delaying Repentance (sermon)
- Passions are allayed, appetites are flatted.
- a. 1677, Isaac Barrow, The Danger and Mischief of Delaying Repentance (sermon)
Etymology 2
From 1795, alteration of Scots flet (“inner part of a house”), from Middle English flet (“dwelling”), from Old English flet, flett (“ground floor, dwelling”), from Proto-Germanic *flatją (“floor”), from Proto-Germanic *flataz (“flat”), from Proto-Indo-European *pleth₂- (“flat”). Akin to Old Frisian flet, flette (“dwelling, house”). More at flet, flat1.
Noun
flat (plural flats)
- (chiefly Britain, New England, New Zealand and Australia, archaic elsewhere) An apartment, usually on one level and usually consisting of more than one room.
- 1905, Sydney Perks, Residential flats of all classes, including artisans' dwellings: a practical treatise on their planning and arrangement, together with chapters on their history, financial matters, etc.,with numerous illustrations, page 204,
- The excellence of French flats is so well known in America, that the owner will often refer to his property as "first class French flats."
- 1983, Tai Ching Ling, Relocation and Population Planning: A Study of the Implications of Public Housing and Family Planning in Singapore, Wilfredo F. Arce, Gabriel C. Alvarez (editors), Population Change in Southeast Asia, page 184,
- Fifteen percent of this group said that they were not satisfied with the public housing estates and their HDB[Singapore Housing & Development Board] flats (see Tables 11 and 12 respectively).
- 2002, MIchael Ottley, Briefcase on Company Law, page 76,
- The Greater London Council formed the Estmanco company to manage a block of 60 council-owned flats. The council entered into an agreement with the company to sell off the flats to owner-occupiers.
- 2014, Terry Gourvish, Dolphin Square: The History of a Unique Building, page 75,
- When the Dolphin Square's flats were first offered to the public in 1936, the South Block was still under construction, and the North Block was a building site.
- 1905, Sydney Perks, Residential flats of all classes, including artisans' dwellings: a practical treatise on their planning and arrangement, together with chapters on their history, financial matters, etc.,with numerous illustrations, page 204,
Synonyms
- (apartment): apartment
Derived terms
Translations
Etymology 3
From Middle English flatten, from Old French flatir (“to knock or strike down, dash”).
Verb
flat (third-person singular simple present flats, present participle flatting, simple past and past participle flatted)
- (transitive, obsolete) To beat or strike; pound
Beat definition
A stroke; a blow. (1 of 18 beat definitions)
Pound definition
A unit of mass equal to 16 avoirdupois ounces (= 453.592 37 g). Today this value is the most common meaning of "pound" as a unit of weight. (1 of 7 pound definitions)
- (transitive) To dash or throw
Dash definition
Any of the following symbols: ‒ (figure dash), – (en dash), — (em dash), or ― (horizontal bar).- A hyphen or minus sign.
Throw definition
To hurl; to cause an object to move rapidly through the air. (1 of 24 throw definitions)
- (intransitive) To dash, rush
Derived terms
- flatter (“hammer”)
References
Anagrams
Dutch flat definition
Etymology
Pronunciation
- (Netherlands) IPA(key): /ˈflɛt/
- (Belgium) IPA(key): /ˈflɑt/
- (Hollandic)
Audio (file) - Hyphenation: flat
- Rhymes: -ɛt
Noun
flat m (plural flats, diminutive flatje n)
Derived terms
Latin flat definition
Verb
flat
- third-person singular present active indicative of flō
Flo definition
boy
Norwegian Bokmål flat definition
Etymology
Adjective
flat (neuter singular flatt, definite singular and plural flate, comparative flatere, indefinite superlative flatest, definite superlative flateste)
Derived terms
References
- “flat” in The Bokmål Dictionary.
Norwegian Nynorsk flat definition
Etymology
Adjective
flat (neuter singular flatt, definite singular and plural flate, comparative flatare, indefinite superlative flatast, definite superlative flataste)
References
- “flat” in The Nynorsk Dictionary.
Old English flat definition
Pronunciation
Verb
flāt
- first/third-person singular preterite of flītan
Flitan definition
to strive, to make an effort
Scottish Gaelic flat definition
Noun
flat m (genitive singular flat, plural flataichean)
Mutation
Scottish Gaelic mutation | |
---|---|
Radical | Lenition |
flat | fhlat |
Note: Some of these forms may be hypothetical. Not every possible mutated form of every word actually occurs. |
Synonyms
- (saucer): sàsar
Swedish flat definition
Etymology
From Old Norse flatr, from Proto-Germanic *flataz, from Proto-Indo-European *plat- (“flat”).
Adjective
flat
- flat (having no variations in altitude)
- Solen reflekterades i spegelns flata yta.
- The sun was reflected in the flat surface of the mirror.
- Solen reflekterades i spegelns flata yta.
- spineless, being a doormat, abstaining from defending one's convictions
- Han var alldeles för flat mot chefen, och fick inte heller någon löneökning.
- He let the manager walk all over him and did not get a raise.
Doormat definition
A coarse mat at the entrance to a house, upon which one wipes one's shoes. (1 of 2 doormat definitions)
- Han var alldeles för flat mot chefen, och fick inte heller någon löneökning.
Declension
Inflection of flat | |||
---|---|---|---|
Indefinite | Positive | Comparative | Superlative2 |
Common singular | flat | flatare | flatast |
Neuter singular | flatt | flatare | flatast |
Plural | flata | flatare | flatast |
Definite | Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
Masculine singular1 | flate | flatare | flataste |
All | flata | flatare | flataste |
1) Only used, optionally, to refer to things whose natural gender is masculine. 2) The indefinite superlative forms are only used in the predicative. |
Synonyms
- (flat): platt
- (spineless): eftergiven, mjäkig