flatten

[ flat-n ]

verb (used with object)

1. to make flat.
2. to knock down:

   The boxer flattened his opponent in the second round.

   Synonyms: floor, deck, prostrate, fell, ground

verb (used without object)

1. to become flat.

verb phrase

1. Aeronautics. to fly into a horizontal position, as after a dive.
2. Nautical. flat ¹( def 61 ).

flatten

/ ˈflætən /

verb

1. sometimes foll by out to make or become flat or flatter
2. informal.
   tr
   1. to knock down or injure; prostrate
   2. to crush or subdue

      failure will flatten his self-esteem

3. tr music to lower the pitch of (a note) by one chromatic semitone Usual US wordflat
4. intrfoll byout to manoeuvre an aircraft into horizontal flight, esp after a dive

Derived Forms

• ˈflattener, noun

Other Words From

• flatten·er noun
• over·flatten verb (used with object)
• un·flattened adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of flatten¹

First recorded in 1620–30; flat ¹ + -en ¹

Example Sentences

Unlike today’s earthworms, these 1-centimeter fossils, called Uncus dzaugisi, lack any segments and had an outer coat stiff enough to keep them from being completely flattened as sediments accumulated on top of them.

From Science Magazine

One man, whose family lived in the flattened building, but was staying elsewhere, said, quoted by AFP: "We all thought that death was near."

From BBC

Residents in the foothills above Camarillo are grappling with scenes of staggering destruction after the Mountain fire flattened scores of homes.

From Los Angeles Times

They found out Wednesday night that their house had been completely flattened by the fire.

From Los Angeles Times

Residents in the foothills above Camarillo are grappling with scenes of utter destruction after the Mountain fire flattened scores of homes.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• crush
• raze
• smash
• straighten