flatter

¹ American  

[flat-er] / ˈflæt ər /

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.

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verb (used without object)

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

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

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, 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

You will see, especially among younger people, more entrepreneurs launching smaller businesses or flatter structures as a result of these tools.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

Mr. Shear, who also wrote and directed the movie, a feature debut, doesn’t flatter himself as an actor.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

"Intelligence tools we're creating and using, paired with smaller and flatter teams, are enabling a new way of working," he wrote in a note to staff.

From BBC • Feb. 26, 2026

A flatter curve, he said, also has the potential to “offset fiscal concerns.”

From MarketWatch • Feb. 6, 2026

This is the same order in which they are added as keys get sharper or flatter.

From "Understanding Basic Music Theory" by Catherine Schmidt-Jones and Russel Jones

Related Words

• charm