flatten

/'flætn/

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Explanation of the Word "Flatten"

Definition: The verb "flatten" means to make something flat or to reduce its height or thickness. It can be used in different contexts, such as physically making something flat or even in music when referring to lowering the pitch of notes.

Usage Instructions:

• Basic Form: "flatten" (present tense)
• Past Form: "flattened"
• Continuous Form: "flattening"

Examples:

1. Physical Context:

   • "I will flatten the cardboard box so it takes up less space."
   • "She used a rolling pin to flatten the dough for the cookies."

2. Music Context:

   • "The musician had to flatten the notes to match the key of the song."
   • "When you flatten a note, it sounds lower than the original pitch."

3. Health Context:

   • "You can flatten your stomach with these exercises."
   • "He wants to flatten his abs by working out regularly."

Advanced Usage:

In more advanced contexts, "flatten" can be used metaphorically. For example, you might say: - "The new policies have flattened the organization, making it less hierarchical." This means that the structure of the organization has been made less complex.

Word Variants:

• Flattened (past tense)
• Flattening (gerund or continuous form)
• Flat (adjective): Without bumps or raised areas; level.

Different Meanings:

1. Physical: To make something flat or level.
2. Music: To lower the pitch of a note.
3. Figurative: To reduce complexity or hierarchy.

Synonyms:

• Level
• Smooth
• Reduce
• Compress

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

While there are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs that use "flatten," you can think of phrases such as: - "Flatten the curve," which refers to reducing the rate of infection in public health discussions.

Summary:

"Flatten" is a versatile verb that can refer to making an object flat, lowering musical notes, or even simplifying structures or processes.

Academic

Verb

1. lower the pitch of (musical notes)
2. become flat or flatter
   • The landscape flattened
3. make flat or flatter
   • flatten a road
   • flatten your stomach with these exercises

Synonyms

• drop
• flatten out