FLAT | English Meaning, Definition, and Pronunciation

Middle English: from Old Norse flatr

having a level surface; without raised areas or indentations

having level surface

• he sat down on a flat rock
• trim the surface of the cake to make it completely flat

lacking emotion; dull and lifeless

dull and lifeless

• ‘I'm sorry,’ he said, in a flat voice

(of a sparkling drink) having lost its effervescence

having lost effervescence

• she sipped some of the flat champagne

(of a fee, wage, or price) the same in all cases, not varying with changed conditions or in particular cases

unvarying

• a flat fare of £2.50

(of musical sound) below true or normal pitch.

below true or normal pitch

relating to flat racing

relating to flat racing

• the Flat season

in or to a horizontal position

in or to horizontal position

• he was lying flat on his back
• she had been knocked flat by the blast

completely; absolutely

completely

• I thought you'd turn me down flat
• Myers was flat broke

below the true or normal pitch of musical sound

below true or normal pitch

• it wasn't a question of singing flat, but of simply singing the wrong notes

the flat part of something

flat part of something

• she placed the flat of her hand over her glass

an upright section of stage scenery mounted on a movable frame.

upright section of stage scenery on movable frame

a flat tyre

flat tyre

• I've got a flat—there were nails under the wheel

flat racing.

flat racing

a musical note lowered a semitone below natural pitch.

note lowered semitone below natural pitch

lower (a note) by a semitone

lower note by semitone

• when a person has a poor ear for music, he will flat and sharp right along without knowing it

make flat; flatten

flatten

• flat the loaves down