flatten

verb
UK: /ˈflæt.ən/
US: /ˈflæt.ən/

  1. To make something flat or flatter.

    1. I will flatten the dough with a roller before baking it tonight.
    2. The steamroller will flatten the uneven ground to prepare for the new road.

  2. To knock someone down, usually in a fight or sport.

    1. The boxer threatened to flatten his opponent in the first round of fight.
    2. The linebacker aimed to flatten the quarterback during the football match.

  3. To reduce something, such as costs or differences, to a minimum.

    1. The company tried to flatten its hierarchical structure and improve cooperation.
    2. Efforts were made to flatten the curve of infection rates during the pandemic.

Synonyms

demolish compress level squash crush
flatten intransitive-verb

  1. To become flat or flatter.

    1. The tire will flatten if it loses air during the travel, check it.
    2. The grass started to flatten under the weight of the freshly fallen snow.

  2. To become knocked down.

    1. He flatten after a hit.
    2. After running so fast, she began to flatten and couldn't finish race.
flatten transitive-verb

  1. To make something flat.

    1. Please flatten the cardboard box before putting it in the recycling bin.
    2. The chef used a rolling pin to flatten the pizza dough into the desired shape.

  2. To destroy something completely.

    1. The hurricane completely flattened the coastal town, leaving nothing behind.
    2. The scandal threatened to flatten his career, damaging his reputation severely.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "flatten" in English means: To make something flat or flatter., To knock someone down, usually in a fight or sport., To reduce something, such as costs or differences, to a minimum..

The phonetic transcription of "flatten" is /ˈflæt.ən/ in British English and /ˈflæt.ən/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "flatten": demolish, compress, level, squash, crush.

Example usage of "flatten": "I will flatten the dough with a roller before baking it tonight.". More examples on the page.