—flat /flæt/
adjective (flatter, flattest) (DRINK)
► C2 describes a drink that has stopped being fizzy (= with bubbles): » If you don't put the top back on that bottle of beer, it will go flat.→ COMPARE STILL(Cf. ↑still) adjectiveThesaurus+: ↑Drinks - general wordsadjective (flatter, flattest) (LEVEL)
► B1 level and smooth, with no curved, high, or hollow parts: » An ice rink needs to be completely flat.» Roll out the pastry on a flat surface.» Much of the countryside in East Anglia is very flat.Thesaurus+: ↑Straight, even and levelWord Builder:–Nouns: flat–Adjectives: flat–Verbs: flatten–Adverbs: flat, flatly• • •
Extra Examples:» The road ahead was flat and smooth.» There are drainage channels all over this flat agricultural land.» She borrowed a garden roller to roll the grass flat.» A broad sweep of flat countryside stretched to the horizon in all directions.» There was no wind and the sea was very flat.adjective (flatter, flattest) (NOT ACTIVE)
► F0 not interesting, or without emotion or excitement: » After the excitement of the party, life seems rather flat now.» I thought her performance a little flat.» I think the colours in this painting are rather flat (= not varied or bright).» UK I left my car lights on and now the battery is flat (US dead) (= has no electrical power left in it).Thesaurus+: ↑Tedious and uninspiringadjective (flatter, flattest) (NOT HIGH)
B1 level but having little or no height:
» flat shoes (= ones without a raised heel)Thesaurus+: ↑Straight, even and levelF0 describes bread that is made without yeast, and therefore does not rise:
» Pitta and nan are two types of flat bread.Thesaurus+: ↑Breadflat cap/hat UKF0 a hat that is not rounded on top and has little height
Thesaurus+: ↑Things worn to cover the head, face or neckadjective (flatter, flattest) (PROFITS)
► F0 If profits, sales, etc. are flat, they are not growing or increasing: » Demand for our machinery abroad is increasing, while growth is flat at home.Thesaurus+: ↑Keeping and staying the same , ↑Not able to be changedadjective (flatter, flattest) (WITHOUT AIR)
► B2 If something such as a tyre or ball is flat, it does not contain enough air: » I got a flat tyre (US tire) (= the air went out of it) after driving over a nail.Thesaurus+: ↑Emptyadjective [before noun] (flatter, flattest) (COMPLETE)
► F0 complete or certain, and not likely to change: » His request for time off work was met with a flat refusal.» The minister has issued a flat denial of the accusations against her.Thesaurus+: ↑Certainty , ↑Confidence and self-assuranceadjective [before noun] (flatter, flattest) (FIXED)
► F0 (especially of an amount of money) fixed and not likely to change: » We charge a flat fee/rate of $25 per hour.Thesaurus+: ↑Keeping and staying the same , ↑Not able to be changed• • •
Extra Examples:» For a monthly flat fee, paid by the consumer or employer, HMOs provide a specified list of medical services both in and outside the hospital.» He's repaying the loan at a flat rate of 10%.» Clients are charged a flat rate of £15 monthly.» Borrowers can choose a variable or flat interest rate on the loan.» He's being paid at a flat rate of £10 per hour.adjective adverb (flatter, flattest) (MUSIC)
► F0 (in music) lower than a particular note or the correct note: » The top string on your violin is flat.» She sang flat throughout the song (= all the notes she sang were too low).→ COMPARE NATURAL(Cf. ↑natural) adjective (MUSIC), SHARP(Cf. ↑sharp) adjective adverbSee picture: flat 
Thesaurus+: ↑Notes of the musical scale
adverb (flatter, flattest) (COMPLETELY)
F0 INFORMAL completely or to the greatest degree possible:
» She told him flat (US ALSO flat out that she would not go to the show.» Could you lend me some money, I'm flat broke (= I have no money).→ SEE ALSO STONY BROKE(Cf. ↑stony broke)Thesaurus+: ↑Complete and whole , ↑Very and extremethree minutes, half an hour, etc. flat INFORMALF0 exactly three minutes, half an hour, etc.:
» We managed to get to the station in five minutes flat.Thesaurus+: ↑Accurate and exactflat out INFORMALF0 as fast or as hard as possible:
» My car only does about 60 mph, even when it's going flat out.» We've been working flat out to get this done.Thesaurus+: ↑Hurrying and doing things quickly , ↑Busy and activeadverb (flatter, flattest) (LEVEL)
► B2 in a level position, often against another surface: » Lay the cloth flat across the table.Thesaurus+: ↑Straight, even and levelWord Builder:–Nouns: flat–Adjectives: flat–Verbs: flatten–Adverbs: flat, flatly• • •
Extra Examples:» He lay flat on the ground hoping no one would see him.» She unfolded a large cloth and laid it flat on the ground.» Empty the biscuit-crumb mixture into a dish and press it out flat.» My hat has been squashed flat. Did someone sit on it?» Poor Kathy fell flat on her face in the mud.adverb (flatter, flattest) (NOT HIGH)
► F0 into a flat shape without height: » These garden chairs will fold flat for storage.Thesaurus+: ↑Straight, even and levelnoun (LEVEL GROUND)
F0 [C often plural] an area of low, level ground, often near water:
» The salt flats are used for motor racing.» The mud flats attract large numbers of birds.Thesaurus+: ↑Coasts and beaches , ↑Bays and gulfsthe flat of your handF0 the palm and fingers when they are held straight and level:
» He hit me with the flat of his hand.Thesaurus+: ↑The handbe on the flatF0 to be on a level surface, not on a slope or hill:
» Most of the path is on the flat.Thesaurus+: ↑Straight, even and levelWord Builder:–Nouns: flat–Adjectives: flat–Verbs: flatten–Adverbs: flat, flatlynoun (SHOES)
flats [plural]► F0 women's shoes without high heels: » I feel more comfortable in flats.Thesaurus+: ↑Shoes and shoemakingnoun [C usually singular] MAINLY US INFORMAL (TYRE WITHOUT AIR)
► F0 a FLAT TYRE(Cf. ↑flat tyre): » We were late because we had to stop and fix a flat.Thesaurus+: ↑The exterior of vehiclesnoun [C] (MUSIC)
► F0 (a symbol for) a note that is a semitone lower than a stated noteSee picture: flat 
Thesaurus+: ↑Notes of the musical scale
noun [C] UK (US apartment) (HOME)
► A1 a set of rooms for living in that are part of a larger building and are usually all on one floor: » a furnished/unfurnished flat» a block of flats» They have a house in the country and a flat in London.→ SEE ALSO FLATMATE(Cf. ↑flatmate)Thesaurus+: ↑Houses and homes• • •
Extra Examples:» Our new flat is very convenient for the kids' school.» I wouldn't dare have a party in my flat in case the neighbours complained.» She's looking for a furnished flat.» Their garden is overlooked by a block of flats.» How are you getting on in your new flat?