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

Hafley said Wednesday that having his name being mentioned as a head coaching candidate is flattering and humbling. —CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026

Levi's 94 Baggy Jeans These super flattering jeans have a mid-rise waist with a zip-and-button fly and a straight-leg silhouette. —Michelle Rostamian, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026

The fun and flattering style works for all ages, and Manzone likes twisting hair back into a claw clip to keep things super youthful. —Catharine Malzahn, InStyle, 8 Jan. 2026

The singer arrived at the daytime talk show dressed in a flattering ensemble paired with one of her go-to Christian Louboutin high heels. —Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 8 Jan. 2026

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