flattering

adjective

flat·​ter·​ing ˈfla-tər-iŋ 

1

: marked by flattery: such as

a

: showing or expressing gratifying respect or admiration

a flattering comparison

His colleagues might have disowned him, but they didn't receive flattering invitations to speak all over the country and to write for The New York Times.

—Richard Dawkins

b

: excessively or insincerely complimentary

… a steady stream of ham actors, all of whom were welcomed with flattering speeches.

—H. L. Mencken

2

: helping to enhance attractiveness

a necktie in a flattering color

… dictating the most flattering camera angles.

—David Margolick

The gowns were indeed smashing: smart, sexy, eye-catching, and very, very flattering.

—The New Yorker

flatteringly adverb

The so-called Generation X has been described by some—not flatteringly—as a scavenger culture that gathers music, art and fashions from recent past generations rather than creating its own.

—Steve Hochman

Her upper body is all besuited business—the black jacket, the white blouse reflecting flatteringly on the face, the understated silver choker and earrings, the burnished brown bob.

—Rebecca Mead

Examples of flattering in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk Lip Kit is a universally flattering system for getting plush, pillowy lips (the secret ingredient? —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 12 July 2025

Due to its body-hugging appeal, the bandage dress was often seen as flattering only on certain body types — typically slim, toned figures, which reinforced narrow beauty standards. —Renan Botelho, Footwear News, 11 July 2025

Jennifer Lopez, Salma Hayek, and Jessica Alba are just a few of the stars who are trading one-piece swimsuits for flattering bikinis this summer, proving that wearing a two-piece doesn’t have to come at the expense of coverage in the process. —Averi Baudler, People.com, 11 July 2025

The elastic waistband, paired with an adjustable tie, provides a relaxed, flattering fit that is still dressy enough for casual dinners. —Becca Blond, Travel + Leisure, 11 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing flattering

• self-flattering

Rhymes for flattering

• battering
• chattering
• clattering
• pattering
• scattering
• shattering
• smattering
• spattering
• backscattering
• unflattering