flatter
1to 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.
to use flattery.
Origin of flatter
1Other 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)
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
2Dictionary.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. BainHow beautiful a girl she must now be if that photograph was no flatterer!
Warrior Gap | Charles KingHe 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 LordHer 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)
/ (ˈflætə) /
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
1Derived forms of flatter
- flatterable, adjective
- flatterer, noun
- flatteringly, adverb
British Dictionary definitions for flatter (2 of 2)
/ (ˈflætə) /
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
Browse