flat 1 of 3

adjective

ˈflat How to pronounce flat (audio)
Definition of flatnext
1
as in exact
being neither more nor less than a certain amount, number, or extent industrial growth has been a flat two percent for each of the last four quarters

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in boring
causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest a flat portrayal of Benjamin Franklin in the new TV series

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in plane
having a surface without bends, breaks, or irregularities preferred riding her bike on a flat road

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4
as in stable
having been established and usually not subject to change charged a flat rate for priority shipping

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5
as in simple
having no exceptions or restrictions a flat denial of the charges

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6
as in matte
lacking a surface luster or gloss used a flat paint for the condo's interior walls

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7
as in bland
lacking in qualities that make for spirit and character a dull, flat reading of a story that was really quite exciting

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8
as in thin
lacking in taste or flavor this pasta dish tastes a little flat

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flat

2 of 3

adverb

as in completely
to a full extent or degree I am flat broke this week

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flat

3 of 3

noun

chiefly British
as in apartment
a room or set of rooms in a private house or a block used as a separate dwelling place had to take on a third roommate in order to afford the bigger flat

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective flat contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of flat are even, level, plane, and smooth. While all these words mean "having a surface without bends, curves, or irregularities," flat applies to a surface devoid of noticeable curvatures, prominences, or depressions.

the work surface must be flat

When would even be a good substitute for flat?

In some situations, the words even and flat are roughly equivalent. However, even applies to a surface that is noticeably flat or level or to a line that is observably straight.

trim the hedge so it is even

When is it sensible to use level instead of flat?

The words level and flat can be used in similar contexts, but level applies to a horizontal surface that lies on a line parallel with the horizon.

the vast prairies are nearly level

Where would plane be a reasonable alternative to flat?

While in some cases nearly identical to flat, plane applies to any real or imaginary flat surface in which a straight line between any two points on it lies wholly within that surface.

the plane sides of a crystal

When is smooth a more appropriate choice than flat?

The words smooth and flat are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, smooth applies especially to a polished surface free of irregularities.

a smooth skating rink

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of flat
Adjective
Lower-ticket maintenance items have held steadier in sales, which can help to prop up the top line, but the per-store productivity weakened even where top-line sales looked flat, Graff said. — Kevin Williams, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2026 Cook quickly in a large cast-iron skillet, on a flat-top plancha, or on a grill, primarily on one side while leaving the wax paper on the opposite side. — ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026
Adverb
But hazy dishes plus faucet buildup plus flat-lathering shampoo appearing together is a pattern worth testing. — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 2026 On Mestemaker’s early 75-yard gallop, safety Aaron Flowers made a simple error on a common play, following a running back who didn’t have the ball and getting caught flat-footed as Mestemaker flew past him. — Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Noun
This pair from Project Cloud has all the best features of your favorite sneakers and flats in one. — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 29 Sep. 2026 With its octagonal clusters of flats arranged around a central water tower that looks like a fist raised against the sky, the neighborhood doesn’t have much spirit of community. — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 26 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for flat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flat
  1. exact
  2. boring
  3. smooth
  4. stable
  5. simple
  6. matte
  7. bland
  8. thin
Adjective
  • The singer-songwriter had purchased the exact vintage Gunne Sax maxi dress Meg White wore on the cover of the White Stripes’ 2003 album Elephant, released the same year she was born.
    — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 7 Oct. 2026
  • An exact cause of death was never determined amid accusations that the boy, who had frequent seizures, had been deprived of crucial medication.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of exact
Adjective
  • As people outsource more of their thinking to software, the business world grows more homogeneous, risk-averse, predictable and, frankly, boring.
    — David Farbman, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026
  • My very boring father’s record collection suddenly came alive.
    — Kristin Robinson, Billboard, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of boring
Adjective
  • Finished with a smooth, domed resin overlay that gives the artwork dimension and a polished finish.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The finish is a semi-matte—smooth, satin, and shine-free—that looks looks like velvet on the lips.
    — Kiana Murden, Vogue, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of smooth
Adjective
  • Real estate can provide stable income or appreciation through active value creation, while technology investments offer exposure to emerging businesses and new models of growth.
    — Connie Etemadi, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Neuralink says the approach can make those signals more stable and useful for controlling computers.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of stable
Adjective
  • That single choice unleashes a harrowing chain of strange and terrifying events in the dead of night, turning a simple gesture of kindness into a real-life nightmare.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Waffles and pimento Another enduring element of Chick-fil-A is its famously simple menu.
    — Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of simple
Adjective
  • Its 85-inch QLED display features a highly matte anti-glare screen, so your art and movies look lifelike without annoying reflections.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 11 Mar. 2026
  • The long-wearing formula sets to a semi-matte finish that resists oil and humidity, too.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 26 Nov. 2025
Definition of matte
Adjective
  • The rising cost of these licenses has also led to the mass production of bland designs.
    — Matt Martell, Vogue, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Even the actors’ bodies exhibit the bland greige produced by the high dynamic range of digital cameras and are flattened by the inconsistent lighting that comes from overuse of green screens.
    — Harmon Siegel, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of bland
Adjective
  • When new, concrete possesses a thin, temporarily protective layer that, if not maintained, will wear away, exposing the interior, which gradually crumbles.
    — Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Officials issued the alert Monday after a man shared with police an image appearing to show the dangerous reptile slithering from the thin branch of a tree onto the roof of a backyard shed.
    — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of thin

Phrases Containing flat

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flasks
flat
flatboat
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Cite this Entry

“Flat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flat. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on flat

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about flat

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