flat - flatly

Flat is usually used as a noun or an adjective, but it is sometimes used as an adverb.

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◊ 'flat' used as a noun

In British English, a flat is a set of rooms for living in, usually on one floor of a large building.

...a ground floor flat.

See entry at ↑ flat - apartment.

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◊ 'flat' used as an adjective or adverb

Something that is flat is not sloping, curved, or pointed.

Every flat surface in our house is covered with junk.

Use a saucepan with a flat base.

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If something lies or rests flat against a surface, all of it is touching the surface.

He was lying flat on his back.

She let the blade of her oar rest flat upon the water.

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Note that you do not say that something lies or rests `flatly' against a surface.

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A flat refusal, denial, or rejection is definite and firm, and not likely to be changed.

He has issued a flat denial of these allegations.

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◊ 'flatly'

The adverb corresponding to this meaning of `flat' is flatly, not `flat'.

She has flatly refused to go.

The Norwegians and Danes flatly rejected the evidence.

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Flatly goes in front of verbs like `refuse' and `deny', but you put it after verbs like `say' and `state'.

He flatly refused to accept it.

Many scientists flatly denied the possibility.

He declared flatly that he could not leave his country.

He said flatly that he would accept no cub that had been more than twelve hours captive.

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