flatter

[flat-er]

See more synonyms for flatter on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to try to please by complimentary remarks or attention.
to praise or compliment insincerely, effusively, or excessively: She flatters him by constantly praising his books.
to represent favorably; gratify by falsification: The portrait flatters her.

to show to advantage: a hairstyle that flatters the face.
to play upon the vanity or susceptibilities of; cajole, wheedle, or beguile: They flattered him into contributing heavily to the foundation.
to please or gratify by compliments or attentions: I was flattered by their invitation.
to feel satisfaction with (oneself), especially with reference to an accomplishment, act, or occasion: He flattered himself that the dinner had gone well.
to beguile with hope; encourage prematurely, falsely, etc.

verb (used without object)

to use flattery.

Origin of flatter

1175–1225; Middle English flat(t)eren to float, flutter, fawn upon, Old English floterian to float, flutter; for sense development, cf. flicker¹, Old Norse flathra; reinforced by Old French flatter to flatter, literally, to stroke, caress (probably < Frankish *flat- flat¹)

Related formsflat·ter·a·ble, adjectiveflat·ter·er, nounflat·ter·ing·ly, adverbhalf-flat·tered, adjectivehalf-flat·ter·ing, adjectivehalf-flat·ter·ing·ly, adverbun·flat·ter·a·ble, adjectiveun·flat·tered, adjectiveun·flat·ter·ing, adjectiveun·flat·ter·ing·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for flattered

exalted, lauded

Examples from the Web for flattered

Contemporary Examples of flattered

The final score flattered Brazil, which had looked ragged and complacent for much of the game.
Brazil Slips Past Croatia, Thanks to Yuichi Nishimura
Tunku Varadarajan
June 12, 2014
I was surprised and flattered and it felt surreal and natural at the same time.
Taylor Swift Says Singing "Livin' On A Prayer" with Prince William Was His Idea
Tom Sykes
February 7, 2014
“Neither side is flattered by what they see on the fringes,” he says.
Ghosts of the Confederacy Out in Force as Fringe Rules GOP
Eleanor Clift
October 16, 2013
And online, flattered men and women contacted by these matchmakers are receptive to the concept.
Professional Matchmakers Build Business on Facebook
Nina Strochlic
August 5, 2013
As a producer myself, I can safely say that if another producer said that about me, I would be flattered beyond belief.
James Deen: My Experience Making ‘The Canyons’
James Deen
February 19, 2013

Historical Examples of flattered

But Mr. Hand, flattered by her politeness, begged her to remain.
The Raid From Beausejour; And How The Carter Boys Lifted The Mortgage
Charles G. D. Roberts
The use of a title higher than his own flattered the Inspector, and he was moved to graciousness.
Within the Law
Marvin Dana
To Mali-ya-bwana, in his flattered and unsuspicious mood, this seemed reasonable.
The Leopard Woman
Stewart Edward White
He's got to be flattered up, an' have some grit put into him.
Tiverton Tales
Alice Brown
Certainly, madame, my friend; and I shall be flattered and delighted to be yours.
The Three Cities Trilogy, Complete
Emile Zola

British Dictionary definitions for flattered

flatter

verb

to praise insincerely, esp in order to win favour or reward
to show to advantagethat dress flatters her
(tr) to make to appear more attractive, etc, than in reality
to play upon or gratify the vanity of (a person)it flatters her to be remembered
(tr) to beguile with hope; encourage, esp falselythis success flattered him into believing himself a champion
(tr) to congratulate or deceive (oneself)I flatter myself that I am the best

Derived Formsflatterable, adjectiveflatterer, nounflatteringly, adverb

Word Origin for flatter

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

flatter

noun

a blacksmith's tool, resembling a flat-faced hammer, that is placed on forged work and struck to smooth the surface of the forging
a die with a narrow rectangular orifice for drawing flat sections

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for flattered

flatter

early 13c., from Old French flater "to flatter" (13c.), originally "stroke with the hand, caress," from Frankish *flat "palm, flat of the hand" (see flat (adj.)). "[O]ne of many imitative verbs beginning with fl- and denoting unsteady or light, repeated movement" [Liberman]. Related: Flattered; flattering.