flat
Flat (adj) means Level and even, with no slope, bumps, or curves. Example: “They pitched the tent on a flat patch of ground.”
How to use flat
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishLevel and unbroken, without ups and downs — literally (a flat road) or figuratively (flat sales, a flat tone); in British English it also just means "apartment."
Don't confuse the musical sense (lower than the correct pitch) with "sharp," which is higher.
In British English "flat" means what Americans call an "apartment."
Word forms
flatter comparative, more flat comparative, flatted past tense, flatted past tense, flats plural, flats singular, flats singular, flattest superlative, most flat superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They pitched the tent on a _____ patch of ground.
Etymology
From Old Norse flatr ("flat"), borrowed into Middle English. The "apartment" sense comes from an older meaning of flat as "a level floor or storey."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for flat
See all rhymes for flat →Frequently asked questions
What does “flat” mean?
The word “flat” means level and even, with no slope, bumps, or curves. In plain terms, level and unbroken, without ups and downs — literally (a flat road) or figuratively (flat sales, a flat tone); in British English it also just means "apartment.".
How do you pronounce “flat”?
“Flat” is pronounced FLAT (/ˈflæt/ in IPA).
How do you use “flat” in a sentence?
Here is “flat” used in a sentence: “They pitched the tent on a flat patch of ground.”
What is another word for “flat”?
Words with a similar meaning to “flat” include even, planar, plane, smooth, uniform and boring.
What is the opposite of “flat”?
The opposite of “flat” — its antonyms — are bumpy, cratered, hilly, rough and wrinkled.
What part of speech is “flat”?
Depending on how it is used, “flat” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “flat” come from?
The word “flat” comes from Middle English. From Old Norse flatr ("flat"), borrowed into Middle English. The "apartment" sense comes from an older meaning of flat as "a level floor or storey.".
Is “flat” a common word?
“Flat” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between flat and sharp?
In music, these are opposites of pitch: a flat note is lowered by a semitone, while a sharp note is raised by one. Singing "flat" means slightly below the correct pitch, and "sharp" means above it. Outside music, though, flat usually just means level and even, and sharp means pointed or keen instead.
What are the different meanings of flat?
"Flat" is a versatile word. It can mean level and even (flat ground), a deflated tyre (a flat), a drink that has lost its fizz (flat lemonade), a lowered musical note, a dull or lifeless mood (feeling flat), and, in British English, an apartment. Context makes clear which sense is meant.
What is the opposite of flat?
It depends on the meaning. For a level surface, the opposites are bumpy, uneven, hilly, or sloping. For a flat tyre, it is inflated; for a flat drink, fizzy; and for a flat musical note, sharp. In its most common sense — level and even — "bumpy" or "uneven" is the natural opposite.
What is an example of flat?
A calm lake, a sheet of paper, a football pitch, or a salt plain are all flat — level and even, with no slopes or bumps. You might also describe flat ground for pitching a tent or a flat road that is easy to cycle. The word stresses the absence of rise or dip.
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