flatter

[ flat-er ]

/ ˈflæt ər /

SEE 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.

Words nearby flatter

flatmate, flats, flatscreen, flatstick, flatten, flatter, flatter oneself, flattery, flattie, flatties, flatting

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)

OTHER WORDS FROM flatter

flat·ter·a·ble, adjectiveflat·ter·er, nounflat·ter·ing·ly, adverbhalf-flat·tered, adjective

half-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. 2019

Examples from the Web for 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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
“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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST

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|DAILY BEAST
With him sat and lounged and yawned and gossiped and flattered a choice assemblage of spirits more wicked than himself.
Darkness and Dawn|Frederic W. Farrar
"He flattered you," said Wheaton, a faint smile drawing at the corners of his mouth.
The Main Chance|Meredith Nicholson
True; he was admired, petted, flattered; for that the man was wonderful no one could doubt.
Literary and General Lectures and Essays|Charles Kingsley
It seemed scarcely possible, and yet it flattered and pleased her.
A Thorny Path [Per Aspera], Complete|Georg Ebers
So Mrs. Bundlecome flattered herself that things were going fairly well with her nephew, and she possessed her soul in patience.
Name and Fame|Adeline Sergeant

British Dictionary definitions for flattered (1 of 2)

flatter¹

/ (ˈflætə) /

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 forms of flatter

flatterable, adjectiveflatterer, nounflatteringly, adverb

Word Origin for flatter

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

British Dictionary definitions for flattered (2 of 2)

flatter²

/ (ˈflætə) /

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