flattering

[flat-er-ing]

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.

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of flattering¹

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

Contemporary newspapers published flattering portraits apparently written by publicists on Dillon’s dime.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“It is flattering, to be sure, but a simple ‘Happy birthday!’ would have done just as well,” she thought.

Read more on Literature

He held a picture of the financial world in his head that was radically different from, and less flattering than, the financial world’s self-portrait.

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"There was around 40 paparazzi outside my house every day," says Katona, and they weren't looking for flattering portraits.

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The Metlen CEO was less flattering about UK and European energy policy which is crucial to his business - "a bit of metal is essentially energy in solid form," he said.

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Related Words

• complimentary