Words / C1

PLAT-oh/ˈplætəʊ/

A plateau is a period of little change after a rise — or a high flat landform: marks reached a plateau, a mountain plateau. Level off is the everyday verb; peak is the high point before a fall; growth is the thing that stalled. Do not keep spending on posters if the n has plateaued and the methods are empty.

Meaning

A period when something stops rising after growth; also a high flat area of land.

Examples

• “Marks hit a plateau; extra posters did not move the n.”
• “Flat is everyday. A peak is a summit. To plateau can be a verb. Geography: a tableland. A stalled metric needs a methods look, not a louder slogan.”

Good to know

A flat stretch after a rise (or high flat land). Everyday: level off. Contrast: peak. More posters ≠ more n.

Near in meaning

flat

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