flatly

flatly
Ⅰ.
flat [1] ► ADJECTIVE (flatter, flattest) 1) having a level and even surface. 2) not sloping. 3) with a level surface and little height or depth: a flat cap. 4) (of shoes) without high heels. 5) lacking vitality or interest: a flat voice. 6) (of a sparkling drink) having lost its effervescence. 7) (of something kept inflated) having lost some or all of its air. 8) Brit. (of a battery) having exhausted its charge. 9) (of a fee, charge, or price) unvarying; fixed. 10) (of a negative statement) definite and firm: a flat denial. 11) (of musical sound) below true or normal pitch. 12) (after a noun ) (of a note or key) lower by a semitone than a specified note or key.
► ADVERB 1) in or to a horizontal position. 2) so as to become level and even. 3) informal completely; absolutely: she turned him down flat. 4) emphasizing the speed of an action: in ten minutes flat.
► NOUN 1) the flat part of something. 2) (flats) an area of low level ground, especially near water. 3) informal a flat tyre. 4) (the Flat) Brit. flat racing. 5) an upright section of stage scenery. 6) a musical note lowered a semitone below natural pitch. 7) the sign () indicating this.
● fall flat — Cf. ↑fall flat
● flat out — Cf. ↑flat out
● on the flat — Cf. ↑on the flat
DERIVATIVES flatly adverb flatness noun flattish adjective.
ORIGIN Old Norse.
Ⅱ.
flat [2] ► NOUN chiefly Brit. ▪ a set of rooms comprising an individual place of residence within a larger building.
► VERB (flatted, flatting) Austral./NZ ▪ live in or share a flat.
● go flatting — Cf. ↑go flatting
DERIVATIVES flatlet noun.
ORIGIN alteration of obsolete flet «floor, dwelling»; related to FLAT(Cf. ↑flattish).

English terms dictionary. 2015.

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  • Flatly — Flat ly, adv. 1. In a flat manner; evenly; horizontally; without spirit; dully; frigidly. [1913 Webster] He that does the works of religion slowly, flatly, and without appetite. Jer. Taylor. [1913 Webster] 2. peremptorily; positively; plainly;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • flatly — (adv.) early 15c., in a literal sense, from FLAT (Cf. flat) (adj.) + LY (Cf. ly) (2). Meaning in a plain manner is from 1560s; sense of in a dull manner is from 1640s …   Etymology dictionary

  • flatly — flat|ly [ˈflætli] adv 1.) flatly refuse/deny/oppose etc sth to say something in a direct and definite way that is not likely to change ▪ He flatly denied ever having met the woman. 2.) without showing any emotion ▪ Aunt Alicia has changed her… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • flatly — flat|ly [ flætli ] adverb 1. ) in a firm and definite way intended to end discussion of a subject: flatly refuse/deny/reject: He flatly denied being near the scene of the crime. 2. ) without showing any emotion or interest: How can I help you?… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • flatly — adverb 1 flatly refuse/deny/oppose etc to say something in a direct and definite way that is not likely to change: She flatly refused to tell us where he was. 2 without showing any emotion: “Aunt Alicia has changed her will,” she said flatly …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • flatly — UK [ˈflætlɪ] / US adverb 1) in a firm and definite way intended to end discussion of a subject flatly refuse/deny/reject: He flatly denied being near the scene of the crime. 2) without showing any emotion or interest How can I help you? the clerk …   English dictionary

  • flatly — adverb a) In a definite manner; in a manner showing complete certainty. It was an accusation that he flatly denied. b) In a manner that shows no emotion He replied flatly to the policemans questions …   Wiktionary

  • flatly — [ˈflætli] adv 1) in a firm, definite way He flatly denied being near the scene of the crime.[/ex] 2) without showing any emotion or interest ‘How can I help you? the clerk asked flatly.[/ex] …   Dictionary for writing and speaking English

  • flatly — flat, flatly The dominant adverbial form flatly is always used figuratively with words of denial and rejection such as contradict, deny, oppose, refuse, and reject. Flat is used in fixed expressions such as flat broke and turn something down flat …   Modern English usage

  • flatly — adv. Flatly is used with these verbs: ↑answer, ↑contradict, ↑declare, ↑deny, ↑disagree, ↑refuse, ↑reject, ↑reply, ↑respond, ↑say, ↑state, ↑tell …   Collocations dictionary

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