flattered

American  

[flat-erd] / ˈflæt ərd /

adjective

1. feeling gratified or honored by unexpected favorable attention, as an invitation or compliment.

   Thank you so much for linking to my recipe; I'm beyond flattered!

2. praised or complimented in an insincere way, usually as a form of manipulation.

   Having received the supreme compliment from his guru, the flattered and now penniless devotee offered to work for him for nothing.

---

verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of flatter.

Other Word Forms

• half-flattered adjective
• unflattered adjective

Etymology

Origin of flattered

flatter ¹ ( def. ) + -ed ²

Example Sentences

“How did you hear about us?” one of the baristas, simultaneously confused and flattered, asked me while I studied the 3-D wooden puzzle of Vietnam hanging on a concrete wall.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 2026

“I am always flattered and taken aback when someone tells me ‘I watched you.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 1, 2026

Regulators found that Blodget, then of Merrill Lynch, and Grubman, of Salomon Smith Barney, issued research that didn’t reflect their honest views but rather flattered companies’ leadership.

From Barron's • Jan. 30, 2026

Kulesa said she hoped Winkleman would be "quite flattered in a way".

From BBC • Jan. 28, 2026

They didn’t admit it, even to each other, but they had both been flattered by Ken’s and Toby’s respectful interest.

From "The Egypt Game" by Zilpha Keatley Snyder