flatten
to make flat.
to knock down: The boxer flattened his opponent in the second round.
to become flat.
flatten in, Nautical. flat1 (def. 61).
flatten out, Aeronautics. to fly into a horizontal position, as after a dive.
Origin of flatten
1Other words for flatten
Other words from flatten
- flat·ten·er, noun
- o·ver·flat·ten, verb (used with object)
- un·flat·tened, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use flatten in a sentence
The use of long lenses for distance shots and a flash for close-ups both have flattening effects on the resulting images.
Exposed: Paparazzi vs. the Stars Over the Past 50 Years | Sarah Moroz | February 27, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTMitt Romney came out fighting, flattening Newt Gingrich on investments and immigration.
Best Moments From Thursday’s Debate Ahead of Florida Primary (Videos) | The Daily Beast Video | January 27, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTSome characters from literature, of course, suffer from the same flattening as contemporary celebrities.
The flattening of this note, however, means that the two octaves change their species.
The Modes of Ancient Greek Music | David Binning MonroHe had a slight scratch on his hand and a bruise on his head received from flattening himself out on the floor.
The Reign of Greed | Jose Rizal
She had grown so torpid, that while Danger was not flattening his nose against the window-pane, she was at peace.
There and Back | George MacDonaldHere she comes, said Billy Simson, flattening himself still closer to the trench bottom.
Grapes of wrath | Boyd CableUp them she went, flattening herself against the stone as she caught the faint clack of muffled oars.
The Devil in Iron | Robert E. Howard
British Dictionary definitions for flatten
/ (ˈflætən) /
(sometimes foll by out) to make or become flat or flatter
(tr) informal
to knock down or injure; prostrate
to crush or subdue: failure will flatten his self-esteem
(tr) music to lower the pitch of (a note) by one chromatic semitone: Usual US word: flat
(intr foll by out) to manoeuvre an aircraft into horizontal flight, esp after a dive
Derived forms of flatten
- flattener, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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