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.
A visible part of the discourse about the Cornell Seven reveals how some have flatly rejected the possibility that Doe was assaulted, attacked her credibility and her appearance, and labeled the case as a “hoax.”
From Salon ● Oct. 26, 2026
When a reporter asked Mamdani about that this week, he replied flatly, “Jessica Tisch is the police commissioner. I have no plans to change that.”
From Slate ● Oct. 15, 2026
Challenged by Allen that the bond markets had “slapped back”, Bessent flatly contradicted him: “No, it didn’t.”
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 5, 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
“I will not,” said Draco Malfoy flatly when Hagrid had proposed this with the air of Father Christmas pulling an extra-large toy out of his sack.
From "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire" by J. K. Rowling
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
