flattering

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flat·ter¹

(flăt′ər)

v. flat·tered, flat·ter·ing, flat·ters

v.tr.

1. To compliment excessively and often insincerely, especially in order to win favor.

2. To please or gratify the vanity of: "What really flatters a man is that you think him worth flattering" (George Bernard Shaw).

a. To portray favorably: a photograph that flatters its subject.

b. To show off becomingly or advantageously.

v.intr.

To practice flattery.

[Middle English flateren, from Old French flater, of Germanic origin; see plat- in Indo-European roots.]

flat′ter·er n.

flat′ter·ing·ly adv.

flat·ter²

(flăt′ər)

1. A flat-faced swage or hammer used by blacksmiths.

2. A die plate for flattening metal into strips, as in the manufacture of watch springs.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

flattering

(ˈflætərɪŋ)

adj

1. censorious insincerely praising

2. gratifying to the ego; pleasing: It's flattering to be considered for such a role..

3. that shows someone or something to advantage: a refreshing new look that's flattering to skins of all ages.

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

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Adj.

flattering - showing or representing to advantage; "a flattering color"

uncomplimentary, unflattering - showing or representing unfavorably; "an unflattering portrait"; "an uncomplimentary dress"

flattering

adjective

1. becoming, kind, effective, enhancing, well-chosen It wasn't a very flattering photograph.
becoming plain, unattractive, unflattering, warts and all, unbecoming, not shown in the best light, not shown to advantage

2. ingratiating, complimentary, gratifying, fawning, sugary, fulsome, laudatory, adulatory, honeyed, honey-tongued The press was flattering.
ingratiating straight, blunt, honest, candid, uncomplimentary

3. pleasing, satisfying, gratifying, pleasurable It is very flattering to be spoken of like that.

Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

flattering

adjective

Pleasingly suited to the wearer:

attractive, becoming.

Translations

Spanish / Español

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zalamero

flattering

[ˈflætərɪŋ] ADJ

1. (= complimentary) [remark, words] → halagador
the play had very flattering reviews → la obra recibió críticas muy halagadoras or halagüeñas
he was very flattering about you → habló muy bien de ti
that's not very flattering to him! → ¡vaya imagen que pintas de él! (iro)

2. (= gratifying) it was flattering to be told how indispensable he was → le halagó que le dijeran lo indispensable que era
he found the interest in him flattering → se sentía halagado por la atención que le prestaban

3. (= fawning) → adulador
she was surrounded by flattering admirers → estaba rodeada de admiradores que la adulaban

4. [photo, clothes] → favorecedor
that dress isn't flattering at all on you → ese vestido no te favorece nada

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

References in classic literature ?

To such perseverance in wilful self-deception Elizabeth would make no reply, and immediately and in silence withdrew, determined, that if he persisted in considering her repeated refusals as flattering encouragement, to apply to her father, whose negative might be uttered in such a manner as to be decisive, and whose behavior at least could not be mistaken for the affectation and coquetry of an elegant female.

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Some with a flattering word, The coward does it with a kiss,

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The Tilneys, they, by whom, above all, she desired to be favourably thought of, outstripped even her wishes in the flattering measures by which their intimacy was to be continued.

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He commenced by flattering the self-love of his auditors; a never-failing method of commanding attention.

When these several arrangements were made, Magua passed through the village, stopping here and there to pay a visit where he thought his presence might be flattering to the individual.

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There are various ways of flattering, and, of course, you must adapt your style to your subject.

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WHEN the author of these little tales commenced them, it was her intention to form a short series of such stories as, it was hoped, might not be entirely without moral advantage; but unforeseen circumstances have prevented their completion, and, unwilling to delay the publication any longer, she commits them to the world in their present unfinished state, without any flattering anticipations of their reception.

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Often she was very sad and lonely, and it happened that one day while she was seated at the window, letting salt tears drop on her work, an old woman, a kind, homely-looking old body, stepped up to the window, and, leaning upon her crutch, addressed the Queen in friendly, flattering tones, saying:

And so, in all ignorance, the Queen followed her out into the garden and listened to her smooth, flattering words.

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The progress of the war was eagerly followed, and only the reports most flattering to our army were circulated.

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She'll never again think me anything but a paltry pretence-- too nice to take heaven except upon flattering conditions, and yet selling myself for any devil's change by the sly.

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A flattering one-shoulder dress for any body type, this gold and silver metallic ombre draped gown is one of a kind.

The Six: Rami Kadi looks from Paris Couture Week 2019

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