flatten

[flat-n]

See more synonyms for flatten on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to make flat.
to knock down: The boxer flattened his opponent in the second round.

verb (used without object)

to become flat.

Verb Phrases

flatten in, Nautical. flat¹(def 61).
flatten out, Aeronautics. to fly into a horizontal position, as after a dive.

Origin of flatten

First recorded in 1620–30; flat¹ + -en¹

Related formsflat·ten·er, nouno·ver·flat·ten, verb (used with object)un·flat·tened, adjective

Synonyms

See more synonyms for flatten on Thesaurus.com

2. ground, fell, prostrate, deck, floor.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for flatten

Contemporary Examples

He uses a spatula to flatten the onions and the meat together, creating a broad circular patty with an uneven edge.
The Most American Pit Stop in the U.S.A.
Jane & Michael Stern
July 21, 2014
They are specifically designed to ‘flatten out and mushroom’ when striking human tissue, and are intended to cause maximum damage.
Blacking Out the Oscar Pistorius Media Circus
Kelly Berold
March 11, 2014
In a way, the print emphasizes the pelt-like nature of all images, as they flatten out the world and hand it over to us.
Live Bear Is World's Biggest Paintbrush
Blake Gopnik
September 13, 2013
And, when Fajr-5s began making them run for cover they did not began shouting to "flatten all of Gaza."
"The Bubble" Bursting
Orly Halpern
November 21, 2012
Recessions tend to flatten income differentials, but this Great Recession is having the opposite effect.
Two Midsummer Fears
David Frum
July 27, 2012

Historical Examples

When they struck the stones they were heard to flatten and fall into the water.
Nana, The Miller's Daughter, Captain Burle, Death of Olivier Becaille
Emile Zola
You could flatten out a piece of iron with your little lady-like arms.
L'Assommoir
Emile Zola
Flatten, and be careful, especially in turning down the corners.
The Ladies' Work-Table Book
Anonymous
They tried to flatten it with countless tons of concentration, but it 52 held its shape.
'Charge It'
Irving Bacheller
"Now come on, Jean, and see them flatten it out," said Giusippe.
The Story of Glass
Sara Ware Bassett

British Dictionary definitions for flatten

flatten

verb

(sometimes foll by out) to make or become flat or flatter
(tr) informal
1. to knock down or injure; prostrate
2. to crush or subduefailure will flatten his self-esteem
(tr) music to lower the pitch of (a note) by one chromatic semitoneUsual US word: flat
(intr foll by out) to manoeuvre an aircraft into horizontal flight, esp after a dive

Derived Formsflattener, 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

Word Origin and History for flatten

v.

late 14c., "to prostrate oneself," also "to fall flat," from flat (adj.) + -en (1). Meaning "to make flat" is 1620s. Related: Flattened; flattening.

flatten

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}flatten

Synonyms

Examples from the Web for flatten

Contemporary Examples

He uses a spatula to flatten the onions and the meat together, creating a broad circular patty with an uneven edge.

They are specifically designed to ‘flatten out and mushroom’ when striking human tissue, and are intended to cause maximum damage.

In a way, the print emphasizes the pelt-like nature of all images, as they flatten out the world and hand it over to us.

And, when Fajr-5s began making them run for cover they did not began shouting to "flatten all of Gaza."

Recessions tend to flatten income differentials, but this Great Recession is having the opposite effect.

Historical Examples

When they struck the stones they were heard to flatten and fall into the water.

You could flatten out a piece of iron with your little lady-like arms.

Flatten, and be careful, especially in turning down the corners.

They tried to flatten it with countless tons of concentration, but it 52 held its shape.

"Now come on, Jean, and see them flatten it out," said Giusippe.

flatten

Word Origin and History for flatten

v.

Origin of flatten