Childrens Illustrated Thesaurus

90

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

flat

flat^2

adjective level and smooth

» Lisa and Jude upgraded their

TV to one with a flat screen.

horizontal, level, levelled,

smooth, unbroken

antonym: uneven

flat^3

adjective without emotion

or interest » The

disappointing musical

performance left the

audience feeling flat.

boring, dull, insipid,

monotonous, weak

flatter^1

verb to praise someone,

often insincerely

» Nigel flattered Felix about

his violin playing but secretly

thought some of the notes

were wrong.

compliment, fawn

flatter^2

verb to make more attractive

» Those clothes really flatter

your figure.

enhance, set off, suit

flattery

noun flattering words and

behaviour » Vicky was

suspicious of Dan’s flattery –

what did he really want?

adulation, fawning,

blandishment,

obsequiousness,

sycophancy

flaw

noun an imperfection in

something » There was

a crucial flaw in their plan.

blemish, defect, fault,

imperfection

flee

verb to run away from

something » The boys fled

the park pursued by a dog.

bolt, escape, fly, leave,

run away, take flight

flexible^1

adjective able to bend or be

bent easily » Ben practised

yoga and had a flexible body.

elastic, lithe, pliable,

supple, ductile, lissom,

lissome, pliant

flexible^2

adjective able to adapt or

change » My time is flexible,

so let’s meet whenever is best

for you.

adaptable, discretionary,

open

flinch

verb to move suddenly with

fear or pain » A sharp pain in

her knee made Laura flinch.

cringe, shrink, start, wince

float^1

verb to be supported by water

or air

▼ SEE BELOW

float^2

verb to be carried on the air

» The smell of freshly baked

bread floated past my window.

drift, glide, hang, hover

flood^1

noun a large amount of water

coming suddenly » Many

houses and cars were damaged

in the flood.

deluge, downpour,

spate, torrent

flood^2

noun a sudden large amount of

something » A flood of people

entered the shop all at once.

rush, stream, torrent

Lisa and Jude upgraded their TV

to one with a flat screen.

The boys fled the park pursued

by a dog.

Many houses and cars were

damaged in the flood.

Ben practised yoga and had

a flexible body.

float

(^1) verb to be supported by water or air
» Many boats were floating on the water.
be on the surface
bob
drift
lie on the surface
stay
afloat
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