flatly
Americanadverb
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absolutely and without qualification.
Our offer was flatly rejected.
-
without vitality or animation.
He spoke flatly about the death of his wife.
-
in a level, even, or smooth manner.
Apply the tape flatly to the pipe.
Etymology
Origin of flatly
First recorded in 1560–70; flat 1 ( def. ) + -ly ( def. )
Explanation
Saying something flatly means conveying a direct, clear idea in a firm way. It's fine to flatly instruct your dog walker to stop dressing your bulldog in a tutu. Someone who's comfortable being straightforward will have no problem flatly refusing to pay for a terrible meal in a restaurant or flatly directing a taxi driver to turn down the radio. Some synonyms for flatly include unequivocally and categorically. Sometimes this adverb is also used to mean "without emotion," as when you receive some stunningly bad news and flatly reply, "Oh, I see."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But a New York judge flatly rejected the appeal, describing it as "lengthy and rambling".
From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026
When the BBC’s legal team did exactly that, Secret Service counsel Troy Epstein flatly declared the agency was neither authorized to accept service on the family’s behalf nor willing to help facilitate it.
From Salon ● Aug. 18, 2026
When I note that the court constantly faces the latter charge today, Mr. Meese replies flatly: “Well, not properly.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 30, 2026
"Havana is falling down," Estevez's 64-year-old mother Leodiska Canino said flatly.
From Barron's ● Jun. 17, 2026
“A sacrifice unasked is so much the greater,” Grandpa Will stated flatly.
From "The Devil's Arithmetic" by Jane Yolen
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
