flattering

UK: /ˈflætərɪŋ/

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

flat•ter¹ /ˈflætɚ/   v. 

1. to praise or compliment insincerely or excessively: [~ + object]
   He always flatters her by constantly praising her looks.
2. to please or gratify by compliments or attentions:
   [~ + object* usually: be + ~-ed] I was flattered by the invitation.
3. to represent or show favorably, esp. too favorably:
   [~ + object] The portrait flatters her.
4. to feel satisfaction with (oneself ), sometimes mistakenly:
   [~ + oneself + that clause] He flattered himself that the speech had gone well.

flat•ter•ing, adj. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

flat•ter¹  (flat′ər), v.t. 

1. to try to please by complimentary remarks or attention.
2. to praise or compliment insincerely, effusively, or excessively:
   She flatters him by constantly praising his books.
3. to represent favorably;
   gratify by falsification:
   The portrait flatters her.
4. to show to advantage:
   a hairstyle that flatters the face.
5. to play upon the vanity or susceptibilities of;
   cajole, wheedle, or beguile:
   They flattered him into contributing heavily to the foundation.
6. to please or gratify by compliments or attentions:
   I was flattered by their invitation.
7. to feel satisfaction with (oneself ), esp. with reference to an accomplishment, act, or occasion:
   He flattered himself that the dinner had gone well.
8. to beguile with hope;
   encourage prematurely, falsely, etc.

v.i. 

9. to use flattery.

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

flat′ter•a•ble, adj. 
flat′ter•er, n. 
flat′ter•ing•ly, adv. 

flat•ter²  (flat′ər), n. 

1. a person or thing that makes something flat.
2. a flat-faced blacksmith's tool, laid on a forging and struck with a hammer to smooth the surface of the forging.
3. a drawplate with a flat orifice for drawing flat metal strips, as for watch springs.

• flat¹ + -er¹ 1705–15

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

flatter / ˈflætə/ verb

1. to praise insincerely, esp in order to win favour or reward
2. to show to advantage: that dress flatters her
3. (transitive) to make to appear more attractive, etc, than in reality
4. to play upon or gratify the vanity of (a person)
5. (transitive) to beguile with hope; encourage, esp falsely
6. (transitive) to congratulate or deceive (oneself): I flatter myself that I am the best

Etymology: 13th Century: probably from Old French flater to lick, fawn upon, of Frankish origin

ˈflatterable adjective

ˈflatterer noun