flash|er /flæ ʃə r / (flashers ) N‑COUNT A flasher is a man who deliberately exposes his genitals to people in public places, especially in front of women. [INFORMAL ]
fla sh floo d (flash floods ) N‑COUNT A flash flood is a sudden rush of water over dry land, usually caused by a lot of rain.
flash|gun /flæ ʃgʌn/ (flashguns ) N‑COUNT A flashgun is a device that you can attach to, or that is part of, a camera. It makes bright flashes of light so that you can take photographs indoors.
flash|light /flæ ʃla I t/ (flashlights ) N‑COUNT [oft by N ] A flashlight is a small electric light which gets its power from batteries and which you can carry in your hand. [mainly AM ] □ Len studied it a moment in the beam of his flashlight. in BRIT, use torch
fla sh mob (flash mobs ) N‑COUNT A flash mob is a group of people who arrange by phone or online to meet suddenly in a public place to do something for a short time. □ A flash mob of hundreds of fans danced to his music outside the station.
flash|point /flæ ʃpɔ I nt/ (flashpoints )
1 N‑VAR A flashpoint is the moment at which a conflict, especially a political conflict, suddenly gets worse and becomes violent. □ The immediate flashpoint was Wednesday's big rally in the city centre.
2 N‑COUNT A flashpoint is a place which people think is dangerous because political trouble may start there and then spread to other towns or countries. □ The more serious flashpoints are outside the capital.
flashy /flæ ʃi/ (flashier , flashiest ) ADJ If you describe a person or thing as flashy , you mean they are smart and noticeable, but in a rather vulgar way. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ He was much less flashy than his brother.
flask /flɑː sk, flæ sk/ (flasks )
1 N‑COUNT A flask is a bottle which you use for carrying drinks around with you. □ He took out a metal flask from a canvas bag. ● N‑COUNT A flask of liquid is the flask and the liquid which it contains. □ [+ of ] There's some sandwiches here and a flask of coffee.
2 N‑COUNT A flask is a bottle or other container which is used in science laboratories and industry for holding liquids. □ …flasks for the transport of spent fuel.
3 → see also hip flask , vacuum flask
flat ◆◆◇ /flæ t/ (flats , flatter , flattest )
1 N‑COUNT A flat is a set of rooms for living in, usually on one floor and part of a larger building. A flat usually includes a kitchen and bathroom. [mainly BRIT ] □ Sara lives with her partner and children in a flat in central London. □ …a block of flats □ Later on, Victor from flat 10 called. in AM, usually use apartment 2 ADJ Something that is flat is level, smooth, or even, rather than sloping, curved, or uneven. □ Tiles can be fixed to any surface as long as it's flat, firm and dry. □ After a moment his right hand moved across the cloth, smoothing it flat. □ The sea was calm, perfectly flat.
3 ADJ [ADJ n, v-link ADJ , ADJ after v] Flat means horizontal and not upright. □ Two men near him threw themselves flat. □ As heartburn is usually worse when you're lying down, you should avoid lying flat.
4 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A flat object is not very tall or deep in relation to its length and width. □ Ellen is walking down the drive with a square flat box balanced on one hand.
5 ADJ [ADJ n, v-link ADJ , ADJ after v] Flat land is level, with no high hills or other raised parts. □ To the north lie the flat and fertile farmlands of the Solway plain. □ The landscape became wider, flatter and very scenic.
6 N‑COUNT [usu pl, usu n N ] A low flat area of uncultivated land, especially an area where the ground is soft and wet, can be referred to as flats or a flat . □ The salt marshes and mud flats attract large numbers of waterfowl.
7 N‑COUNT [usu sing] You can refer to one of the broad flat surfaces of an object as the flat of that object. □ He slammed the counter with the flat of his hand. □ …eight cloves of garlic crushed with the flat of a knife.
8 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Flat shoes have no heels or very low heels. □ People wear slacks, sweaters, flat shoes, and all manner of casual attire for travel. ● N‑PLURAL Flats are flat shoes. [AM ] □ His mother looked ten years younger in jeans and flats.
9 ADJ A flat tyre, ball, or balloon does not have enough air in it.
10 N‑COUNT A flat is a tyre that does not have enough air in it. □ Then, after I finally got back on the highway, I developed a flat.
11 ADJ A drink that is flat is no longer fizzy. □ Could this really stop the champagne from going flat?
12 ADJ A flat battery has lost some or all of its electrical charge. [mainly BRIT ] □ His car alarm had been going off for two days and, as a result, the battery was flat. in AM, use dead 13 ADJ If you have flat feet, the arches of your feet are too low. □ The condition of flat feet runs in families.
14 ADJ [ADJ n] A flat denial or refusal is definite and firm, and is unlikely to be changed. □ The Foreign Ministry has issued a flat denial of any involvement. ● flat|ly ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] □ He flatly refused to discuss it.
15 ADJ If you say that something happened, for example, in ten seconds flat or ten minutes flat , you are emphasizing that it happened surprisingly quickly and only took ten seconds or ten minutes. [EMPHASIS ] □ You're sitting behind an engine that'll move you from 0 to 60mph in six seconds flat.
16 ADJ [ADJ n] A flat rate, price, or percentage is one that is fixed and which applies in every situation. □ Fees are charged at a flat rate, rather than on a percentage basis. □ Sometimes there's a flat fee for carrying out a particular task.