Definition of flattering
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
