Definition

Adjective: * Having a stomach that does not protrude; lacking a prominent or rounded belly. This describes a physical appearance where the abdominal area is relatively level or even with the chest, not bulging outward.

Usage

The adjective "flat-bellied" is used to describe a person's or sometimes an animal's physique. It is a compound adjective, typically placed before a noun or used after a linking verb like "be" or "look."

Examples

• The athlete was lean and flat-bellied.
• After months of dedicated exercise, he finally achieved a flat-bellied appearance.
• The statue depicted a warrior with a flat-bellied, muscular torso.
• She felt more confident in her clothes now that she was flat-bellied.

Advanced Usage

• The term can be used in comparative or superlative forms, though it is less common: "He is flatter-bellied than he was last year."
• It is often found in contexts related to fitness, health, fashion, or physical description.

Variants and Related Words

• Flat stomach (noun phrase): A more common way to express the same physical state.
  • He works out to maintain a flat stomach.
• Washboard abs (idiomatic noun phrase): A very informal and specific term referring to a highly defined, muscular abdomen.
• Toned (adjective): A more general term for firm, defined muscles.
• Paunchy (adjective): An antonym meaning having a protruding belly.

Synonyms

• Trim
• Slender (in the abdominal area)
• Firm (in the abdominal area)

Antonyms

• Potbellied
• Paunchy
• Rotund
• Corpulent

Adjective

1. lacking a prominent belly