Showing results for "flatter"

• comparative of flat.

flatter

¹ American  

[flat-er] / ˈflæt ər /

verb (used with object)

flatters, present (3rd person singular) flattered, past participle, past flattering present participle

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), especially 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.

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verb (used without object)

flatters, present (3rd person singular) flattered, past participle, past flattering present participle

1. to use flattery.

flatter ² American  

[flat-er] / ˈflæt ər /

noun

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.

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flatter ¹ British  

/ ˈflætə /

verb

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

2. to show to advantage

   that dress flatters her

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

4. to play upon or gratify the vanity of (a person)

   it flatters her to be remembered

5. (tr) to beguile with hope; encourage, esp falsely

   this success flattered him into believing himself a champion

6. (tr) to congratulate or deceive (oneself)

   I flatter myself that I am the best

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flatter ² British  

/ ˈflætə /

noun

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

2. a die with a narrow rectangular orifice for drawing flat sections

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• flatterer
  noun
• flatterable
  adjective
• unflatterable
  adjective
• flatteringly
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Participles

• flattering
  present
• flattered
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• flatter
  simple
• flatters
  simple
• have flattered
  perfect
• has flattered
  perfect
• am flattering
  progressive
• are flattering
  progressive
• is flattering
  progressive
• have been flattering
  perfect progressive
• has been flattering
  perfect progressive

Past

• flattered
  simple
• had flattered
  perfect
• was flattering
  progressive
• were flattering
  progressive
• had been flattering
  perfect progressive

Future

• will flatter
  simple
• will have flattered
  perfect
• will be flattering
  progressive
• will have been flattering
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of flatter¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English flat(t)eren “to float, flutter, fawn upon,” Old English floterian “to float, flutter”; for sense development, cf. flicker ¹, Old Norse flathra; reinforced by Old French flatter “to flatter,” literally, “to stroke, caress” (probably from unattested Frankish flat- flat ¹ )

Origin of flatter²

First recorded in 1705–15; flat ¹ + -er ¹

Explanation

When you flatter someone, you praise and compliment him or her — but you aren't totally sincere. You flatter your friend by telling her she's the best driver in the world. Because you want her to offer you a ride. The Old French flater originally meant "to stroke or caress," which is what you do to people's egos when you flatter them. When you flatter, you probably want something — it could be as simple as wanting someone to like you. That's why people who meet celebrities tell them they're the greatest. More positively, if your hairstyle flatters your face, it emphasizes your best features.

Example Sentences

But when Jurado sarcastically introduced the next speaker — “Your favorite, Lineage, will now present!” — the joke fell flatter than a solar panel.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 10, 2026

"We know in the world of sports when you see good performances and good results everyone thinks of success and people try to flatter you but when you lose it is a catastrophe," he added.

From BBC • Jun. 13, 2026

Armstrong said that Coinbase will adopt a flatter organizational structure, give managers more responsibilities and concentrate on “AI-native talent” who can manage fleets of AI agents.

From MarketWatch • May 5, 2026

Wolf kills aren't distributed at random, Loretto said, occurring more often on flatter terrain or in open valleys where chases are more likely.

From Barron's • Mar. 12, 2026

Then he mumbles, “Matter, flatter, fatter, hatter. Mad Hatter!”

From "Challenger Deep" by Neal Shusterman

Related Words

• charm