flatter

[ flat-er ]

See synonyms for: flatter flattered flattering flatterer 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

First recorded in 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 from unattested Frankish flat- flat¹)

Other words from flatter

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

Other definitions for flatter (2 of 2)

flatter²

[ flat-er ]

noun

a person or thing that makes something flat.
a flat-faced blacksmith's tool, laid on a forging and struck with a hammer to smooth the surface of the forging.

a drawplate with a flat orifice for drawing flat metal strips, as for watch springs.

Origin of flatter

First recorded in 1705–15; flat¹ + -er¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use flatter in a sentence

The term, an able courtier, implies blame rather than praise, since it too often means an able flatterer.
A Philosophical Dictionary, Volume 1 (of 10) | Franois-Marie Arouet (AKA Voltaire)
But trust her not, when she speaks of me, for she is a flatterer.
The Substance of a Dream | F. W. Bain
How beautiful a girl she must now be if that photograph was no flatterer!
Warrior Gap | Charles King
He was not a parasite or a flatterer even of the great, but met them apparently on equal terms, as a monarch of the mind.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume XIII | John Lord
Her own works praise her, and the mere flatterer's tongue is awed into respectful silence.
Female Scripture Biographies, Vol. I | Francis Augustus Cox

British Dictionary definitions for flatter (1 of 2)

flatter¹

/ (ˈflætə) /

verb

to praise insincerely, esp in order to win favour or reward
to show to advantage: that 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 falsely: this success flattered him into believing himself a champion
(tr) to congratulate or deceive (oneself): I flatter myself that I am the best

Origin of flatter

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

Derived forms of flatter

flatterable, adjective
flatterer, noun
flatteringly, adverb

British Dictionary definitions for flatter (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

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