flatter

¹

[ flat-er ]

verb (used with object)

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.

verb (used without object)

1. to use flattery.

flatter

²

[ flat-er ]

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.

flatter

¹

/ 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

flatter

²

/ 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

Derived Forms

• ˈflatteringly, adverb
• ˈflatterer, noun
• ˈflatterable, adjective

Other Words From

• flat·ter·a·ble adjective
• flat·ter·er noun
• un·flat·ter·a·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

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, 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of flatter¹

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

Example Sentences

Beyond the money, there is the art itself, much of which was created to flatter, perpetuate and justify power and privilege.

From Washington Post

There's now a more permissive race mode, too, and that retunes the onboard electronic systems that both flatter and protect the driver.

From Ars Technica

So, if you read something that sounds suspiciously mommy shame-y, or otherwise conveniently flatters self-serving beliefs you already hold, take a few minutes to dig deeper.

From Nautilus

This person is considered attractive by many, so I should be flattered.

From Washington Post

At best you might be able to drag a foot behind yourself to reduce your velocity, but what you’re really waiting for are flatter sections of trail to dump speed.

From Outside Online

What was once a far more hierarchical, top-down, and force-fed relationship is much flatter and more voluntary.

From The Daily Beast

Americans may flatter themselves that they are governed more lightly than other advanced countries.

From The Daily Beast

Book three will have to contend with postmodern times—the end of history, and the birth of a greyer, flatter world.

From The Daily Beast

My suggestion to conservative writers: candidates for high office are already surrounded by people paid to flatter them.

From The Daily Beast

In recent years, Wall Street investors have managed to flatter themselves with talk of being “job creators” and “risk takers.”

From The Daily Beast

She seemed to imply that I was a modest soldier, and if there is a way to flatter a man it is to call him modest.

From Project Gutenberg

He urged, that it would flatter the peculiarities of her character, and might conciliate her good offices for his liberty.

From Project Gutenberg

He afterwards enlarged his model and adopted a flatter pattern, and arrived at the greatest perfection about 1700.

From Project Gutenberg

We arrive then at this one certain fact, that the flatter the model of a violin the greater the probability of a good fine tone.

From Project Gutenberg

I don't profess to know anything about business, but I flatter myself that I understand my fellow men.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• charm