flatly
Americanadverb
-
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. )
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.
This assertion flatly contradicted the landmark 2008 District of Columbia v.
From Salon
Gates’ office flatly rejected the claims in a statement on Friday.
From Salon
He said “the actual evidence was dismissed or ignored” by most reporting, including “mountains” of “emails, text messages and video evidence that flatly contradict” the claims.
From Los Angeles Times
Turk added that people had made decisions "to vote or not to vote purely out of fear, flatly at odds with their internationally guaranteed civil and political rights".
From BBC
Their quiet outrage meant that Denmark had to flatly reject a U.S. takeover.
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.
