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flattering

 - 3 dictionary results

flat⋅ter

1  [flat-er]
Use flattering in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to try to please by complimentary remarks or attention.
2. to praise or compliment insincerely, effusively, or excessively: She flatters him by constantly praising his books.
3. to represent favorably; gratify by falsification: The portrait flatters her.
4. to show to advantage: a hairstyle that flatters the face.
5. to play upon the vanity or susceptibilities of; cajole, wheedle, or beguile: They flattered him into contributing heavily to the foundation.
6. to please or gratify by compliments or attentions: I was flattered by their invitation.
7. to feel satisfaction with (oneself), esp. with reference to an accomplishment, act, or occasion: He flattered himself that the dinner had gone well.
8. to beguile with hope; encourage prematurely, falsely, etc.
–verb (used without object)
9. to use flattery.
Origin:
1175–1225; ME flat(t)eren to float, flutter, fawn upon, OE floterian to float, flutter; for sense development, cf. flicker 1 , ON flathra; reinforced by OF flatter to flatter, lit., to stroke, caress (prob. < Frankish *flat- flat 1 )

Related forms:
flat⋅ter⋅a⋅ble, adjective
flat⋅ter⋅er, noun
flat⋅ter⋅ing⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To flattering
flat·ter 1   (flāt'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).

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

    2. 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.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

flatter 
c.1225, from O.Fr. flater "to flatter," originally "stroke with the hand, caress," from Frank. *flat "palm, flat of the hand" (see flat (adj.)).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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