flattered

American  

[flat-erd] / ˈflæt ərd /

adjective

1. feeling gratified or honored by unexpected favorable attention, as an invitation or compliment.

   Thank you so much for linking to my recipe; I'm beyond flattered!

2. praised or complimented in an insincere way, usually as a form of manipulation.

   Having received the supreme compliment from his guru, the flattered and now penniless devotee offered to work for him for nothing.

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of flatter.

Other Word Forms

• half-flattered adjective
• unflattered adjective

Etymology

Origin of flattered

flatter ¹ ( def. ) + -ed ²

Example Sentences

Flustered, but flattered, Dianne is preparing to sign a napkin when the fan explains that she especially liked the sitcom “Bless This Mess.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

“How did you hear about us?” one of the baristas, simultaneously confused and flattered, asked me while I studied the 3-D wooden puzzle of Vietnam hanging on a concrete wall.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 2026

And while Godoy is flattered that people assume he’s just as easygoing and self-assured as Luffy, he’s still working on getting closer to him.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 10, 2026

Addressing those rumours on Sunday's BBC Politics Wales, he said he was "flattered" but had not had any discussions about it with anyone in the party.

From BBC • Feb. 1, 2026

Because now Eisman was so obviously listening to you, and, as he listened so selectively, you felt flattered.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis