By flat, we mean a surface which is absolutely level without any elevations or portions which are raised or indented. It also means bereft of any emotion, passion or absolutely lifeless. It also means lying flat or in a position which is horizontal. It also means something which is absolute or complete.
By flat, it also denotes an apartment or housing unit which is self-contained within a building. The word is mostly used in India and several other countries, while apartment is mostly used in the American English dialect.
Flat is commonly used throughout the Commonwealth nations and United Kingdom, along with India. With the industrial revolution transforming these countries and sparking massive immigration, it was decided that self-contained units would be built, i.e. buildings which had multiple such flats in them. Flats are mostly seen throughout major Indian cities and even in peripheral zones, suburban areas, and semi-urban areas these days. Many people also demolish their independent houses or bungalows and high-rise or low-rise buildings come up in their place, containing multiple flats.
The term apartment is mostly used throughout North America. In some cases, apartments indicate a better resident profile for the building along with higher living standards. Flats are usually at one level although they become apartments if it is a duplex, as per some definitions. At one level, flats also denote buildings with basic amenities and infrastructure, while apartments indicate those equipped with more luxurious features for residents.
