How to pronounce flat
Say it like FLAT. Flat is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
- FLAT
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Flat pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- FLATSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
American vs British pronunciation of flat
American and British speakers say flat in essentially the same way: /flæt/ in the US and /flæt/ in the UK.
British respelling: FLAT.
What does flat mean?
- Having no variations in height.“The land around here is flat.”
- In a horizontal line or plane; not sloping.“a flat roof”
- Smooth; having no protrusions, indentations or other surface irregularities, or relatively so.“The surface of the mirror must be completely flat.”
- So as to be flat.“Spread the tablecloth flat over the table.”
- Completely, firmly, or unequivocally.“I asked him if he wanted to marry me and he turned me down flat.”
- Exactly; precisely.“In the mile race, Smith's time was 3:58.56, and Brown's was four minutes flat.”
- An area of level ground (sometimes covered with shallow or tidal water).“The hovercraft skimmed across the open flats.”
- Level ground in general.
- Level horse-racing ground, as contrasted with courses incorporating jumps, or the racing done on such ground.
Where does flat come from?
The algebraic sense was coined by Serre in a 1956 paper, originally as French plat.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with flat
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of flat.
Questions about saying flat
How do you pronounce flat?
Say FLAT. The American pronunciation is /flæt/. In British English it is /flæt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in flat?
Flat is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: FLAT.
Do Americans and Brits say flat the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /flæt/ and the British form is /flæt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.