flatter

1 of 2

verb

flat·​ter ˈfla-tər How to pronounce flatter (audio)
flattered; flattering; flatters

transitive verb

1
: to praise excessively especially from motives of self-interest
He flattered her with comments about how youthful she looks.
2
a
archaic : beguile sense 2
b
: to encourage or gratify especially with the assurance that something is right
I flatter myself that my interpretation is correct.
3
a
: to portray too favorably
The portrait flatters him.
b
: to display to advantage
Candlelight often flatters the face.
flatterer noun

flatter

2 of 2

noun

: one that flattens
especially : a flat-faced swage used in smithing

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
The square neckline and flowy silhouette have the ability to flatter different body types, while the lightweight sweater knit delivers a cozy feel. Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 14 Sep. 2025 Hanna When Kirsten Becken first reached out to me about joining the Femxphotographers collective, I was both flattered and intrigued. Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
The most crowded route is no doubt the flatter Camino Frances (or French Way), but my preferred trails are uncongested and more wild, remote, and demanding, with hilly terrain, coastal cliffs, farmlands, forests, and mountains. Hayley Domin, AFAR Media, 10 Sep. 2025 What began as recommendation widgets is becoming a deeper relationship between consumer and platform, where AI doesn’t just show what’s available but what actually fits, flatters and feels right. Kolawole Samuel Adebayo, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for flatter

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

First Known Use

Verb

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

Noun

1714, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of flatter was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Flatter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flatter. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on flatter

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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