flattery
noun
the act of flattering.
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flattery 2.
flattery
1 American
[flat-uh-ree]
/ ˈflæt ə ri /
noun
-
flatteries
plural
-
the act of flattering.
-
a flattering compliment or speech; excessive, insincere praise.
- Synonyms:
- pandering, sycophancy
Flattery
2
American
[flat-ree]
/ ˈflæt ri /
noun
flattery
British
/ ˈflætərɪ /
noun
-
the act of flattering
-
excessive or insincere praise
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of flattery
First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English flaterie, from Middle French, equivalent to flat(er) “to flatter” + -erie noun suffix; see flatter 1, -ery
Explanation
Flattery is excessive praise. If you're hoping to borrow your brother's car, be careful not to overdo it when you compliment his haircut, new shoes, and singing voice — he knows flattery when he sees it. As opposed to real praise, flattery is insincere and almost always has an ulterior motive. The Old English root word of flatter is flater, which originally meant "to stroke with the hand or caress." When you stroke someone's ego to get what you want, you're using flattery. If the person you are wildly complimenting tells you that flattery will get you nowhere, you know it's time to back off.
Vocabulary lists containing flattery
Gathering Blue
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"The Necklace" and "The Fashion Show"
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Selection Vocabulary 1, Unit 5
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Like Trump's, Xi's remarks were heavy on flattery, focusing on cultural ties and shared history between the US and China.
From BBC ● Sep. 25, 2026
When contact is established, scammers work to build trust through flattery, shared personal experiences, romantic interest, fake testimonials and, yes, promises of love or money, the bureau adds.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 14, 2026
Earlier flattery aimed at the president has even taken epistolary form.
From Slate ● Aug. 21, 2026
Nobody likes flattery from AI, but AI loves it from us.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 15, 2026
She also felt a strange flattery: the idea of herself as swift and darting and birdlike was new and pleasant, because she had always thought of herself as dogged and plodding.
From "The Amber Spyglass" by Philip Pullman
I traveled 500 miles from Seattle to Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park, Cape Flattery and more for an upcoming column.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026
Mr McKeown's partner Vicky Flattery added: "John literally wouldn't be here today without everything Demi did."
From BBC ● Dec. 23, 2023
Flattery from a president, though I wouldn’t know, is likely addictive.
From Washington Post ● Aug. 27, 2021
But an even greater personal favorite, to this writer, is the nearby short trek along the rugged, rocky northern coastline to Cape Flattery.
From Seattle Times ● Jun. 27, 2021
We make it to the trailhead at Cape Flattery.
From "The Sea in Winter" by Christine Day
But I learned as little about Herman from these flatteries as I did from Einhorn’s gushing cliches.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 11, 2021
The servants, and particularly Genoveva, likewise joined their voices in a chorus of flatteries, spreading all over town the fame of her virtues, and crowning her with a halo of respect and sanctity.
From The Marquis of Pe?alta (Marta y Mar?a) A Realistic Social Novel by Armando Palacio Vald?s
I too have charms, Sweet flatteries, dulcet wiles; and to my side He shall be faithful ever.
From The Memoirs of Count Carlo Gozzi; Volume the First by Carlo Gozzi
How frail a thing is the worldly man's friendship, hanging on flatteries and community of interest!
From Checkmate by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu
"That makes your peace," said she, much to my relief, for this work of gallantry was ever discomforting to me, my flatteries being of the heaviest and causing me no small labour in the making.
From The Courtship of Morrice Buckler A Romance by A. E. W. (Alfred Edward Woodley) Mason
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