verb

flatten

FLA-tuhn

Flatten (verb) means to make something flat or level. Example: “He flattened the dough with a rolling pin.”

verb

To make something flat or level.

"He flattened the dough with a rolling pin."

"The steamroller flattened the fresh asphalt."

To knock something or someone down completely.

"The storm flattened dozens of houses along the coast."

To press one's body against a surface, usually to hide or avoid something.

"She flattened herself against the wall as the car sped past."

How to use flatten

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo make something flat, or to knock it down so it becomes flat.

Common pairings

flatten the dough flatten a building flatten the curve

flattened past tense, flattens singular

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Can you complete this real example?

He _____ the dough with a rolling pin.

From "flat" + the verb-forming suffix "-en."

drop flatten out

include miss fall lower increase lose drop spend

fatten batten

What does “flatten” mean?

The word “flatten” means to make something flat or level. In plain terms, to make something flat, or to knock it down so it becomes flat.

How do you pronounce “flatten”?

“Flatten” is pronounced FLA-tuhn (/ˈflæ.tən/ in IPA).

How do you use “flatten” in a sentence?

Here is “flatten” used in a sentence: “He flattened the dough with a rolling pin.”

What part of speech is “flatten”?

“Flatten” is a verb.

How many meanings does “flatten” have?

“Flatten” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to make something flat or level.

include miss fall lower increase lose drop spend