flattering

American  

[flat-er-ing] / ˈflæt ər ɪŋ /

adjective

1. enhancing the appearance of a person or thing, as by highlighting pleasing features or making less pleasing ones inconspicuous.

   You'll receive expert advice on the most flattering shades of makeup for your complexion.

2. causing a person or thing to seem better or more attractive than is really the case.

   She avoids the weakness of many memoirs by not creating an overly flattering picture of herself or her parents.

3. pleasing or gratifying someone by attention or compliments.

   The publisher sent me a very flattering invitation to write a study of Robert Browning.

4. praising or complimenting someone insincerely or excessively, especially in an attempt to curry favor.

   I’m a remarkably accurate judge of people’s character, and am not misled by flattering words or nice clothes.

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noun

1. the act of attempting to curry favor by praising or complimenting someone insincerely or excessively.

   After a glass of cognac and much flattering and coaxing, he did finally grant our request.

Other Word Forms

• flatteringly adverb
• half-flattering adjective
• half-flatteringly adverb
• unflattering adjective
• unflatteringly adverb

Etymology

Origin of flattering

First recorded in 1200–50; flatter ¹ ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. ) for the adjective senses; flatter ¹ ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ) for the noun sense

Example Sentences

"I can't talk much about it but those comparisons are flattering and I'm really excited about it," Franks adds.

From BBC

His designs created a flattering silhouette, with cinched belts at the waist and structured shoulders heavily peppered across the collection.

From BBC

But the team doesn’t just apply a flattering touch-up to sickly markets.

From The Wall Street Journal

Kirkland was not a paparazzo: Stars looked to him for portrayals of themselves that were distinctive and flattering.

From The Wall Street Journal

Other recent data points haven’t exactly painted a flattering picture of the state of the U.S. consumer and labor market.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• complimentary