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flat

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The definition of flat is something with a smooth level surface, something touching with as many points as possible, something that doesn't vary, or something that is dull in taste or appearance.

(adjective)

An example of flat is the surface of a table.
An example of flat is someone laying down with their head, back, legs and heals touching the ground.
An example of flat is a flat rate for the pricing of any service performed.
An example of flat is carbonated soda that has lost its fizz.

See flat in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective flatter, flattest

having a smooth, level surface; having little or no depression or elevation
1. lying extended at full length
2. spread out smooth and level
touching at as many points as possible: with his back flat against the wall
1. having little depth or thickness; broad, even, and thin
2. having a flat heel or no heel: flat shoes
designating or having an almost straight or level trajectory or flight
absolute; positive: a flat denial
not variable; fixed: a flat rate, a flat tax
without much business activity: a flat market

having little or no sparkle or taste; insipid: a flat drink

having little or no interest; monotonous; dull

not clear or full; blurred: a flat sound

☆ emptied of air: a flat tire

☆ Informal completely without money; penniless

without gloss: flat paint

Art

lacking relief, depth, or perspective
uniform in tint or shade

Gram.

not having the sign to: said of an infinitive: Ex.: go in “make it go”
not having an inflectional ending: said esp. of certain adverbs: Ex.: he drove fast

Music

lower in pitch by a half step: D-flat (D)
out of tune by being below the true or proper pitch

Phonet. designating the vowel a when it represents the sound (a) as in had or hat, articulated with the tongue in a relatively level position

Photog. lacking in contrast

Origin: ME < ON flatr, akin to OHG flaz < IE *plāt, plēt-, wide, flat (> Gr platys, broad, OE flet, floor) < base *plā-, broad

adverb flatter, flattest

in a flat manner; flatly (in various senses)
in a prone or supine position
1. exactly; precisely: to run a race in ten seconds flat
2. bluntly; abruptly: she left him flat
☆ Finance with no interest
Music below the true or proper pitch

noun

a flat surface or part: the flat of the hand, of a sword, etc.
an expanse of level land
a low-lying marsh
a shallow; shoal
any of various flat things; specif.,
1. a shallow box or container, as for growing seedlings
2. ☆ flatcar
3. a piece of theatrical scenery on a flat frame
4. ☆ a deflated tire
5. women's flat-heeled shoes or slippers
Football the area flanking either end of the offensive line
Music
1. a note or tone one half step below another
2. the sign () indicating such a note

transitive verb flatted, flatting

Music to make flat; lower a half step

intransitive verb

to sing or play below the true or proper pitch

Related Forms:

flatly adverb
flatness noun

noun

Chiefly Brit. an apartment or suite of rooms on one floor of a building

Origin: altered < Scot dial. flet (ME & OE flet), a floor (of a dwelling): see flat

See flat in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective flat·ter, flat·test

Having a horizontal surface without a slope, tilt, or curvature.
Having a smooth, even, level surface: a skirt sewed with fine flat seams.
Having a relatively broad surface in relation to thickness or depth: a flat board. See Synonyms at level.
Stretched out or lying at full length along the ground; prone.
Free of qualification; absolute: a flat refusal.
Fixed; unvarying: a flat rate.
Lacking interest or excitement; dull: a flat scenario.
a. Lacking in flavor: a flat stew that needs salt.
b. Having lost effervescence or sparkle: flat beer.
a. Deflated. Used of a tire.
b. Electrically discharged. Used of a storage battery.
Of or relating to a horizontal line that displays no ups or downs and signifies the absence of physiological activity: A flat electroencephalogram indicates a loss of brain function.
Commercially inactive; sluggish: flat sales for the month.
Unmodulated; monotonous: a flat voice.
Lacking variety in tint or shading; uniform: “The sky was bright but flat, the color of oyster shells” (Anne Tyler).
Not glossy; mat: flat paint.
Music
a. Being below the correct pitch.
b. Being one half step lower than the corresponding natural key: the key of B flat.
Designating the vowel a as pronounced in bad or cat.
Nautical Taut. Used of a sail.

adverb

a. Level with the ground; horizontally.
b. On or up against a flat surface; at full length.
So as to be flat.
a. Directly; completely: went flat against the rules; flat broke.
b. Exactly; precisely: arrived in six minutes flat.
Music Below the intended pitch.
Business Without interest charge.

noun

A flat surface or part.
A stretch of level ground. Often used in the plural: salt flats.
A shallow frame or box for seeds or seedlings.
A movable section of stage scenery, usually consisting of a wooden frame and a decorated panel of wood or cloth.
A flatcar.
A deflated tire.
A shoe with a flat heel.
A large flat piece of mail.
A horse that competes in a flat race. Also called runner.
Music
a. A sign (♭) used to indicate that a note is to be lowered by a half step.
b. A note that is lowered a half step.
Football The area of the field to either side of an offensive formation.