# flat

/ˈfɫæt/ (US) · /flˈæt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/flat
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. level and smooth

adjective · CEFR A2

having a smooth surface without any parts that are higher than others.

For teachers: having a horizontal surface without significant elevations or depressions.

- The ground was perfectly flat, making it a great place to pitch our tent.
- The valley floor is remarkably flat, stretching for miles before the terrain begins to rise into the foothills.

### 2. deflated

adjective · CEFR A2

having no air inside, usually because of a hole.

For teachers: lacking sufficient air pressure, typically referring to a pneumatic tyre.

- I was late for work because my bike had a flat tyre.
- The driver pulled over immediately upon realising that the rear left tyre was completely flat.

### 3. without bubbles

adjective · CEFR B1

describing a drink that has lost its bubbles and no longer fizzes.

For teachers: lacking carbonation or effervescence due to the loss of dissolved carbon dioxide.

- I forgot to put the cap back on the soda, and now it tastes flat.
- The champagne had been left open overnight and had gone entirely flat by the time brunch was served.

### 4. dull or boring

adjective · CEFR B2

not interesting or lacking energy.

For teachers: lacking interest, excitement, or emotional variation.

- The actor's voice was very flat, so the play felt quite boring.
- Despite the high stakes, the candidate delivered her speech in a flat, uninspiring tone that failed to move the audience.

### 5. musical pitch

adjective · CEFR B2

lower in pitch than the correct note.

For teachers: below the intended or true pitch; specifically, lowered by a semitone.

- The piano sounds a bit flat, so we need to call a tuner.
- The choir director noted that the sopranos were slightly flat during the final chorus of the anthem.

### 6. an apartment

noun · CEFR A2 · British English

a set of rooms for living in that are part of a larger building.

For teachers: a residential suite occupying part of a building, typically on a single floor.

- They live in a small flat on the third floor of the building.
- Finding an affordable flat in the city centre has become increasingly difficult for young professionals.

Usage: In British English, 'flat' is the standard word, whereas 'apartment' is more common in American English.

### 7. shoes without heels

noun · CEFR B1

women's shoes that do not have high heels.

For teachers: a type of shoe with a very low or non-existent heel, usually plural.

- She wore flats to the party because she knew she would be dancing all night.
- The dress code was formal, but she opted for elegant flats due to a recent ankle injury.

### 8. exactly

adverb · CEFR B2

exactly or precisely, especially when talking about time.

For teachers: precisely or exactly; often used to emphasise the speed or brevity of an action.

- He ran the race in ten seconds flat.
- The emergency crew arrived in five minutes flat, preventing the fire from spreading to the adjacent units.

### 9. completely

adverb · CEFR B2 · Informal

completely or absolutely, often used with 'broke' or 'refuse'.

For teachers: completely or utterly; used as an intensifier for certain adjectives or verbs.

- I can't go out tonight because I am flat broke.
- The manager flat refused to consider the proposal, citing a lack of available funding for the quarter.

## Examples

- She lives in a small flat.
- They are looking for a two-bedroom flat to rent near the city centre.
- The penthouse flat offered panoramic views of the skyline, but its stark, minimalist interior felt less like a home than a gallery.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.