Flatten Definition and Meaning
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Published on September 6, 2025
Flatten refers to make or become completely flat or level. e.g., She used a rolling pin to flatten the dough.
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Flatten Definitions
To eliminate all significant variations or irregularities.
The software can flatten audio peaks for a cleaner sound.
To spread out evenly.
The paint needs to be flatten thoroughly before application.
To reduce the hierarchical structure of an organization.
The merger aimed to flatten the management levels.
To reduce in volume, thickness, or intensity.
The company took measures to flatten costs.
To make less complex or intricate.
The new design was flatten to speed up production.
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To cause to adhere closely by pressure.
They used a roller to flatten the wallpaper against the wall.
To press something into a flat state.
He flatten the cardboard box before recycling it.
To become smooth or even.
The road was flatten by a steamroller.
To make flat or flatter.
To knock down; lay low
The boxer was flattened with one punch.
To become flat or flatter.
(transitive) To make something flat or flatter.
As there was a lot of damage, we chose the heavy roller to flatten the pitch.
Mary would flatten the dough before rolling it into pretzels.
(reflexive) To press one's body tightly against a surface, such as a wall or floor, especially in order to avoid being seen or harmed.
(transitive) To knock down or lay low.
The prize fighter quickly flattened his challenger.
(intransitive) To become flat or flatter; to plateau.
Prices have flattened out.
(intransitive) To be knocked down or laid low.
(music) To lower by a semitone.
To make vapid or insipid; to render stale.
To reduce (a data structure) to one that has fewer dimensions, e.g. a 2×2 array into a list of four elements.
To combine (separate layers) into a single image.
To reduce to an even surface or one approaching evenness; to make flat; to level; to make plane.
To throw down; to bring to the ground; to prostrate; hence, to depress; to deject; to dispirit.
To make vapid or insipid; to render stale.
To lower the pitch of; to cause to sound less sharp; to let fall from the pitch.
To become or grow flat, even, depressed, dull, vapid, spiritless, or depressed below pitch.
Make flat or flatter;
Flatten a road
Flatten your stomach with these exercises
Become flat or flatter;
The landscape flattened
Lower the pitch of (musical notes)
To knock down or lay low.
The boxer was flatten in the first round of the match.
To emotionally or physically devastate.
The sudden news left her completely flatten.
Flatten Snonyms
Smooth
To make something flat or even, free from roughness.
She smoothed the bedsheet with her hands.
Level
To make a surface flat or even.
They had to level the ground before building the house.
Squash
To squeeze or press into a flattened state.
She squashed the bug with a heavy book.
Press
To exert pressure or force against something to flatten it.
He pressed the flowers in a book to preserve them.
Compress
To press together; make compact by pressure.
The files were compressed to save disk space.
Even out
To make a surface or line straight or consistent.
They used a plank to even out the gravel path.
Crush
To press or squeeze with a force that destroys or deforms.
The car was crushed under the fallen tree.
Iron
To smooth (clothes, sheets, etc.) with an iron.
He ironed his shirt to flatten out the wrinkles.
Roll out
To flatten or spread with a rolling pin or similar tool.
She rolled out the dough until it was very thin.
Pancake
To flatten severely, often in a collision or accident.
The car pancaked after it fell off the cliff.
Flatten Idioms & Phrases
Flatten the curve
To slow the spread of an infectious disease so that fewer people need to seek treatment at any given time.
Social distancing helps to flatten the curve during an epidemic.
Flatten out
To become flat after having been not flat.
The hills flatten out as you approach the plains.
Flatten one’s opposition
To thoroughly defeat or overcome one's opponents.
The team flattened their opposition with a decisive win.
Flatten oneself against
To press oneself tightly against something, often to avoid being seen.
He flattened himself against the wall as the guards passed by.
Flatten into submission
To defeat or dominate completely.
The reigning champions flattened the newcomers into submission.
Flatten against
To press or become pressed tightly against.
The wind flattened the grass against the ground.
Flatten the competition
To outperform competitors significantly.
The new tech release is expected to flatten the competition.
Flatten one's wallet
To spend a lot of money, leaving little left.
Buying the new car really flattened his wallet.
Flatten Example Sentences
She decided to flatten the dough with her hands.
The company's new policy helped to flatten the hierarchy.
Flatten each piece of chicken to an even thickness.
It took hours to flatten all the air bubbles from the wallpaper.
The chef used a rolling pin to flatten the pizza dough.
Use a hammer to flatten the metal.
The landscape started to flatten as we drove into the desert.
Flatten the image layers before exporting the file.
You need to flatten out these wrinkles before sewing the fabric.
She used a book to flatten the curled photograph.
The goal of the project is to flatten expenses without cutting staff.
Common Curiosities
How is flatten used in a sentence?
"flatten" is used to describe making something smooth, even, or less hierarchical, e.g., They need to flatten the organization to improve communication.
What is the verb form of flatten?
The verb form of "flatten" is "flatten," used in forms like flattening and flattened.
What is the first form of flatten?
The first form of "flatten" is "flatten."
What is another term for flatten?
Another term for "flatten" is "level" or "press."
How many syllables are in flatten?
There are two syllables in "flatten."
How do we divide flatten into syllables?
We divide "flatten" into syllables as: flat-ten.
Why is it called flatten?
It is called "flatten" because it comes from the word "flat," which means to make a surface smooth, even, or level.
What is a stressed syllable in flatten?
The stressed syllable in "flatten" is "flat."
What is the pronunciation of flatten?
"Flatten" is pronounced as /ˈflæt.ən/.
What part of speech is flatten?
"Flatten" is a verb.
What is the second form of flatten?
The second form of "flatten" is "flattened."
Is the word flatten imperative?
"Flatten" can be used in the imperative form in commands, e.g., "Flatten the dough."
What is the root word of flatten?
The root word of "flatten" is "flat."
What is the plural form of flatten?
"Flatten" does not have a plural form as it is a verb; however, its noun form "flat" has a plural "flats."
Is flatten an abstract noun?
No, "flatten" is a verb, not a noun.
Is flatten a negative or positive word?
"Flatten" is a neutral word; its connotation depends on the context.
Is flatten a countable noun?
"Flatten" is a verb, not a noun, and thus is not countable.
Is the word flatten Gerund?
Yes, the gerund form of "flatten" is "flattening."
Which determiner is used with flatten?
Determiners like "the" or "your" can be used with "flatten" when referring to specific objects.
What is the singular form of flatten?
The singular form is "flatten."
Is flatten a noun or adjective?
"Flatten" is a verb.
Is flatten a vowel or consonant?
"Flatten" starts with a consonant.
Is the flatten term a metaphor?
"Flatten" can be used metaphorically, especially in contexts like "flatten the hierarchy."
What is the opposite of flatten?
The opposite of "flatten" could be "bulk up," "raise," or "inflate."
Is flatten a collective noun?
No, "flatten" is not a collective noun.
What is the third form of flatten?
The third form of "flatten" is "flattened."
Is flatten an adverb?
No, "flatten" is not an adverb.
Is the word “flatten” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
In a sentence, "flatten" can take a direct object, e.g., "Flatten the cardboard."
Which vowel is used before flatten?
A vowel such as "a" can be used before "flatten" depending on the context and preceding word.
Which preposition is used with flatten?
Prepositions like "into" or "against" are commonly used with "flatten," depending on the context.
Which conjunction is used with flatten?
Conjunctions like "and" or "but" can be used when linking clauses involving "flatten."
Which article is used with flatten?
The indefinite article "a" or definite article "the" can be used with "flatten" depending on the context.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
