flatter

1 of 4

verb

flat·​ter ˈfla-tər 

flattered; flattering; flatters

transitive verb

1

: to praise excessively especially from motives of self-interest

He flattered her with comments about how well she'd done.

2

archaic : beguile sense 2

3

a

: to encourage or gratify by showing respect or admiration

They flattered me by asking me to speak.

b

: to congratulate (oneself) with respect to something

I flatter myself that my interpretation is correct.

4

a

: to portray too favorably

The portrait flatters him.

b

: to display to advantage

Candlelight often flatters the face.

intransitive verb

: to use flattery

flatterer

ˈfla-tər-ər 

noun

flatter

2 of 4

noun (1)

: one that flattens

especially : a flat-faced swage used in smithing

flatter

3 of 4

comparative of flat entry 1

flatterer

4 of 4

noun

flat·​ter·​er -atərə(r) 

-atə-

plural -s

: one that flatters

Synonyms of flatter

Verb

• commend
• honey
• congratulate
• stroke
• praise
• applaud
• overpraise
• massage
• puff
• coax
• soft-soap
• butter up
• cajole
• hero-worship

Examples of flatter in a Sentence

Verb

He flattered her with comments about her youthful appearance.

It flattered her to be asked to sing at their wedding.

That dress really flatters your figure.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Politicians in both parties are distancing themselves from an increasingly unpopular building boom faster than a sycophantic chatbot can flatter its user. — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 20 Aug. 2026

Multiple reviewers have called out the backside-flattering fit and stretchy material that resists getting baggy after a full day of wear. — Annie Blackman, InStyle, 15 Aug. 2026

Noun

Sammour points to 16-18 inches as the sweet spot, a length that settles at the collarbone and flatters nearly any neckline. — Pooja Mistry, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026

The red notebook, written in flatter, grayer prose, is about her time in the British Communist Party and her ultimate disenchantment with it. — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English flateren, from Anglo-French flater to lap, flatter, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German flaz flat

Noun

Middle English flaterer, from flateren to flatter + -er

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (1)

1714, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing flatter

• flatter oneself

Rhymes for flatter

• atter
• batter
• blatter
• catarrh
• chatter
• clatter
• fatter
• hatter
• latter
• matter
• natter
• patter

Kids Definition

flatter

verb

flat·​ter

ˈflat-ər

1

: to praise too much and not sincerely

2

: to judge oneself as better than another

I flatter myself on my skill in dancing

3

: to represent too attractively

a picture that flatters me

flatterer

-ər-ər

noun

flatteringly

-ə-riŋ-lē

adverb