flatter

[ flat-er ]

/ ˈflæt ər /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR flatter ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to try to please by complimentary remarks or attention.

to praise or compliment insincerely, effusively, or excessively: She flatters him by constantly praising his books.

to represent favorably; gratify by falsification: The portrait flatters her.

to show to advantage: a hairstyle that flatters the face.

to play upon the vanity or susceptibilities of; cajole, wheedle, or beguile: They flattered him into contributing heavily to the foundation.

to please or gratify by compliments or attentions: I was flattered by their invitation.

to feel satisfaction with (oneself), especially with reference to an accomplishment, act, or occasion: He flattered himself that the dinner had gone well.

to beguile with hope; encourage prematurely, falsely, etc.

verb (used without object)

to use flattery.

Origin of flatter

1175–1225; Middle English flat(t)eren to float, flutter, fawn upon, Old English floterian to float, flutter; for sense development, cf. flicker¹, Old Norse flathra; reinforced by Old French flatter to flatter, literally, to stroke, caress (probably < Frankish *flat- flat¹)

OTHER WORDS FROM flatter

flat·ter·a·ble, adjective flat·ter·er, noun flat·ter·ing·ly, adverb half-flat·tered, adjective

half-flat·ter·ing, adjective half-flat·ter·ing·ly, adverb un·flat·ter·a·ble, adjective un·flat·tered, adjective un·flat·ter·ing, adjective un·flat·ter·ing·ly, adverb

Words nearby flatter

flatmate, flats, flatscreen, flatstick, flatten, flatter, flatter oneself, flattery, flattie, flatties, flatting

Example sentences from the Web for flattering

Once in power, they often hired gifted artists to portray them in flattering and benevolent poses.

Great Renaissance Art Thrived Amid Filth |Nick Romeo |December 3, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
For the most part, however, the day was all about flattering the assembled—even as they were urged to never, ever, ever give up.

Tea Party Is 5! No More Tantrums? |Michelle Cottle |February 28, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
This noble effort won Letta the flattering honor of having “balls of steel”.

Florentine Mayor Matteo Renzi to Lead Italy |Barbie Latza Nadeau |February 14, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Such a portrayal may have been flattering to Sorensen, or somehow psychologically soothing to the former aide.

How the Left Spun the Kennedy Myth |Ira Stoll |November 10, 2013 |DAILY BEAST

Roitfeld says seeing a film about her directed by someone else was flattering and eye-opening.

Carine Roitfeld Documentary ‘Mademoiselle C’ Offers Intimate Look |Isabel Wilkinson |September 11, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
But I believe he is flattering her about her play, and perhaps will get money from her or her mother.

The Girls of Central High on the Stage |Gertrude W. Morrison
His grandly-arrayed lords came round him as before, with pleasant smiles and flattering speeches.

Little Folks (Septemeber 1884) |Various
The Directory thought as much, and declined to accept his resignation in the most flattering terms.

Memoirs of Napoleon Bonaparte, Complete |Louis Antoine Fauvelet de Bourrienne
But despite the flattering applause of the multitude, life never again had for him the smiling aspect it had so often worn before.

Great Men and Famous Women, Vol. 8 (of 8) |Various
What a flattering and rare pleasure it was to sleep under the same roof with her!

Two banks of the Seine |Fernand Vandrem

British Dictionary definitions for flattering (1 of 2)

flatter ¹

/ (ˈflætə) /

verb

to praise insincerely, esp in order to win favour or reward

to show to advantage that dress flatters her

(tr) to make to appear more attractive, etc, than in reality

to play upon or gratify the vanity of (a person) it flatters her to be remembered

(tr) to beguile with hope; encourage, esp falsely this success flattered him into believing himself a champion

(tr) to congratulate or deceive (oneself) I flatter myself that I am the best

Derived forms of flatter

flatterable, adjective flatterer, noun flatteringly, adverb

Word Origin for flatter

C13: probably from Old French flater to lick, fawn upon, of Frankish origin

British Dictionary definitions for flattering (2 of 2)

flatter ²

/ (ˈflætə) /

noun

a blacksmith's tool, resembling a flat-faced hammer, that is placed on forged work and struck to smooth the surface of the forging

a die with a narrow rectangular orifice for drawing flat sections

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

flatter

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

Origin of flatter

OTHER WORDS FROM flatter

Words nearby flatter

Example sentences from the Web for flattering

British Dictionary definitions for flattering (1 of 2)

verb

Derived forms of flatter

Word Origin for flatter

British Dictionary definitions for flattering (2 of 2)

noun

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

flatter

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

Origin of flatter

OTHER WORDS FROM flatter

Words nearby flatter

Words related to flattering

Example sentences from the Web for flattering

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []) .push({}); British Dictionary definitions for flattering (1 of 2)

verb

Derived forms of flatter

Word Origin for flatter

British Dictionary definitions for flattering (2 of 2)

noun

British Dictionary definitions for flattering (1 of 2)