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flat1 definition

flat (flat)

adjective flatter flat′·ter, flattest flat′·test

  1. having a smooth, level surface; having little or no depression or elevation
    1. lying extended at full length
    2. spread out smooth and level
  3. 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
  5. designating or having an almost straight or level trajectory or flight
  6. absolute; positive a flat denial
  7. not variable; fixed a flat rate, a flat tax
  9. 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
    1. lacking relief, depth, or perspective
    2. uniform in tint or shade
  • Gram.
    1. not having the sign to: said of an infinitive: Ex.: go in “make it go”
    2. not having an inflectional ending: said esp. of certain adverbs: Ex.: he drove fast
  • Music
    1. lower in pitch by a half step D-flat (D)
    2. 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

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

    adverb flatter flat′·ter, flattest flat′·test

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

    noun

    1. a flat surface or part the flat of the hand, of a sword, etc.
    2. an expanse of level land
    3. a low-lying marsh
    4. a shallow; shoal
    5. 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
    6. Football the area flanking either end of the offensive line
    7. Music
      1. a note or tone one half step below another
      2. the sign () indicating such a note

    transitive verb flatted flat′·ted, flatting flat′·ting

    Music to make flat; lower a half step

    intransitive verb

    to sing or play below the true or proper pitch

    Related Forms:

    flat Idioms

    fall flat

    to fail in the desired effect; be completely unsuccessful

    flat out

    Informal
    1. at full speed, with maximum effort, etc.
    2. clear(ly); definite(ly)
    flat2 definition

    flat (flat)

    noun

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

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

    Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
    Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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