flat

Having an even surface without raised or sunken parts.

• The land here is flat.
• Place the board on a flat surface.
• We found a flat patch of ground for our tent.

Similar words: even, level

Opposites: uneven

Common phrases: flat surface, flat land, flat ground

Level with the ground, without sloping up or down.

• The house has a flat roof.
• Make sure the shelf is flat.
• This section of the road is completely flat.

Similar words: level, horizontal

Opposites: sloping

Common phrases: flat roof, flat shelf, perfectly flat

In a level or fully spread position, with no part sticking up.

• Lie flat on your back.
• She spread the blanket flat on the grass.
• Lay the paper flat before drawing.

Common phrases: lie flat, lay something flat, spread something flat

Completely and firmly, especially when refusing something.

• He refused flat to help.
• They turned my offer down flat.
• She denied flat that she had taken the money.

Similar words: outright, categorically

Common phrases: refuse flat, deny flat, turn someone down flat

A home consisting of rooms in a building that contains other homes.

• She lives in a small flat.
• We rented a flat near the station.
• Does your flat have a balcony?

Similar words: apartment

Common phrases: rent a flat, block of flats, share a flat

A musical note lowered by half a step, or the sign showing this change.

• Play B flat here.
• This key has three flats.
• She marked a flat before the note.

Opposites: sharp

Common phrases: B flat, three flats, play a flat

A wide area of level land, sometimes covered by shallow water.

• Birds fed on the tidal flat.
• We crossed the salt flats at dawn.
• The rising tide covered the mud flats.

Similar words: plain

Common phrases: tidal flat, salt flat, mud flat

Ground that does not rise or fall.

• Walking on the flat is easy.
• She runs faster on the flat.
• The bicycle works well on the flat but struggles uphill.

Similar words: level ground

Common phrases: on the flat, along the flat