Showing Results for "flattering"

See Also:

• present participle of flatter.

flattering

American  

[flat-er-ing] / ˈflæt ər ɪŋ /

adjective

1. enhancing the appearance of a person or thing, as by highlighting pleasing features or making less pleasing ones inconspicuous.

   You'll receive expert advice on the most flattering shades of makeup for your complexion.

2. causing a person or thing to seem better or more attractive than is really the case.

   She avoids the weakness of many memoirs by not creating an overly flattering picture of herself or her parents.

3. pleasing or gratifying someone by attention or compliments.

   The publisher sent me a very flattering invitation to write a study of Robert Browning.

4. praising or complimenting someone insincerely or excessively, especially in an attempt to curry favor.

   I’m a remarkably accurate judge of people’s character, and am not misled by flattering words or nice clothes.

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noun

1. the act of attempting to curry favor by praising or complimenting someone insincerely or excessively.

   After a glass of cognac and much flattering and coaxing, he did finally grant our request.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• flatteringly
  adverb
• unflatteringly
  adverb
• half-flatteringly
  adverb
• half-flattering
  adjective
• unflattering
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of flattering

First recorded in 1200–50; flatter ¹ ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. ) for the adjective senses; flatter ¹ ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ) for the noun sense

Explanation

Something that's flattering shows you in your best, most attractive light. When you're having your photograph taken, you might wear your most flattering outfit. The softly lit living room mirror is usually more flattering to your face than the harsh fluorescent light of a public restroom. You also might tell your friend that her favorite cashmere sweater is much more flattering than her saggy old gray sweatshirt. Flattering comes from flatter, from an Old French root, flater, "to deceive," but also "to throw or fling to the ground."

Example Sentences

Flattering to American intentions, this scenario proved so compelling that over the next dozen years, there would be three “Magnificent” follow-ups as well as many TV imitations.

From New York Times • Oct. 4, 2016

Flattering journalists helps coverage; it doesn't necessarily help Oscar bids.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2016

Flattering books come out all the time, whether a biography of Dick Cheney by Weekly Standard writer Stephen Hayes or Chris Matthews' "Jack Kennedy: Elusive Hero."

From Seattle Times • Nov. 14, 2012

Flattering the ref further, therealjordan.com added, “This complaint is in line with China’s approach to IPR issues.”

From BusinessWeek • Feb. 24, 2012

Flattering as it was to be thus deferred to, this flirtation—if flirtation it were—had gone quite far enough.

From The Road to Understanding by Porter, Eleanor H. (Eleanor Hodgman)

Related Words

• complimentary