fairly flat

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fairly flat" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is relatively level or lacking in elevation, often in a comparative context. Example: "The landscape in this region is fairly flat, making it ideal for cycling."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Wielkopolskie is fairly flat.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Unsurprisingly, labor costs remained fairly flat.

The New York Times

Through the 1990s, costs remained fairly flat.

The Economist

The land is fairly flat but undulating.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"It's been fairly flat over the past few years".

The New York Times

Continue along the leafy loop that's fairly flat.

The New York Times - Travel

NYC is easy – it's dense and fairly flat.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Since 2009-10 levels of crime have been fairly flat.

The Guardian

The Tonto is fairly flat land, visible from the rim.

The New York Times - Travel

The high energy particle background is fairly flat in the 2-7 keV range.

Harvard University

Front fairly flat except for right-hand edge behind captive, which recedes.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fairly flat" to describe physical surfaces when precision isn't critical but a general sense of levelness is needed. Example: "The hiking trail is fairly flat, making it accessible for beginners."

Common error

In technical or scientific writing, avoid using "fairly flat" when a more precise term is available. For instance, instead of saying "The data shows a fairly flat curve", consider specifying the slope or range of variation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fairly flat" functions as an adverb-adjective combination modifying nouns and describing a state or condition. This is supported by Ludwig, which shows it used to describe landscapes, economic trends, or surfaces.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Encyclopedias

12%

Science

12%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fairly flat" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe something that is relatively level, stable, or unchanging. As confirmed by Ludwig, it finds frequent application across diverse fields, including geography, economics, and data analysis. While generally suitable for both formal and informal contexts, more precise terminology may be preferred in technical writing. Its versatility and clarity make it a valuable phrase for expressing a moderate degree of evenness or consistency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relatively level

Emphasizes the comparative aspect of being level to a certain degree.

moderately even

Highlights the consistency and evenness, but only to a limited extent.

somewhat uniform

Focuses on the lack of significant variation across an area or period.

largely consistent

Indicates that something is mainly the same, with minimal fluctuations.

mostly stable

Suggests a lack of significant change or movement over time.

quite horizontal

Specifically refers to a horizontal orientation, implying a lack of slope.

approaching flatness

Implies a movement or trend toward becoming flat.

near equilibrium

Used when referring to systems or processes that have reached a point of little change.

practically constant

Highlights the near absence of variation in a value or measurement.

virtually unchanged

Emphasizes the lack of alteration or modification.

FAQs

What does "fairly flat" mean?

"Fairly flat" means something is relatively level or unchanging, neither significantly rising nor falling. It suggests a moderate degree of evenness or stability.

What can I say instead of "fairly flat"?

You can use alternatives like "relatively level", "moderately even", or "somewhat uniform" depending on the context.

How do I use "fairly flat" in a sentence?

You can use "fairly flat" to describe a landscape (The terrain is fairly flat), an economic trend (The market has been fairly flat), or even a surface (The table is fairly flat).

Is "fairly flat" formal or informal?

"Fairly flat" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly technical or scientific writing, consider using more precise terms.