flattery
noun
the act of flattering.
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flattery
1 American
[flat-uh-ree]
/ ˈflæt ə ri /
noun
plural
flatteries-
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
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.
The surprising revelation was part of a torrent of flattery, pomp and circumstance unleashed by Trump as Charles and Queen Camilla visited the White House.
From Barron's • Apr. 28, 2026
Admittedly, heaping this much flattery onto a tawdry piece of airport fiction adapted into a Sydney Sweeney-starring, big-screen sensation may seem hyperbolic.
From Salon • Jan. 31, 2026
This was no form of flattery, and wouldn’t be allowed between cities in the same state.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 28, 2025
"We all know Donald Trump likes flattery and is an important person to stay on the right side of," he told BBC News.
From BBC • Dec. 9, 2025
“Mateo, where is this random flattery coming from? What’s going on?”
From "They Both Die at the End" by Adam Silvera
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
