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

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

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

Example Sentences

As confident as I am about my process and my artistic view, it’s very flattering.

From Los Angeles Times

The figure doesn’t paint an especially flattering picture of the current job market.

From MarketWatch

The Vancouver-based retailer revolutionized athletic apparel with leggings that were so functional and flattering that people wore them to not only yoga class but brunch, the supermarket and just about everywhere else.

From The Wall Street Journal

Lululemon was an upstart that revolutionized athletic apparel with its leggings that were so functional and flattering that women wore them not just to yoga class but brunch, the supermarket and just about everywhere else.

From The Wall Street Journal

Contemporary newspapers published flattering portraits apparently written by publicists on Dillon’s dime.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• complimentary