Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “flat” come from?

Flat comes from Middle English flet, from Frankish flatjan, ultimately derived from Proto-Indo-European pel- meaning to spread or flatten.

flat (English): Having no variations in height; Without...

Definitions

  1. Having no variations in height; Without...

Ancestry of “flat”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Scotsfletinner part of a house
2Middle Englishfletthe floor, ground; a dwelling, habitation, house,...
3Old Englishfletthe floor, ground; a dwelling, habitation, house,...
4Proto-Germanicflatjąa level surface; level ground; the floor of a...
5Proto-Germanicflatazflat
6Proto-Indo-EuropeanplÁt-—

Words derived from “flat”

  • flatter
  • flatly
  • flatten
  • unflattering
  • flatbed
  • Flathead
  • flatboat
  • flathead
  • flatware
  • flattish
  • flatfish
  • flatbread
  • flatland
  • flatmate
  • flattop
  • flatiron
  • flatfoot
  • mudflat
  • flatfooted
  • aflat
  • flatworm
  • flatting
  • flatscreen
  • flatcar
Every word from Proto-Indo-European plÁt- →