flattering

adjective

flat·​ter·​ing ˈfla-tər-iŋ How to pronounce flattering (audio)
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
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This magic dress is technically loungewear, but its silhouette-hugging fit is so flattering that most people incorporate it into their daily wardrobe, including quite a few of our editors. Annie Blackman, Allure, 2 Dec. 2024 More than 1,800 Amazon shoppers rated this top five stars thanks to its cute style and flattering fit, with some commenting on its impressive quality. Alyssa Brascia, People.com, 2 Dec. 2024 With this flattering Mansfield floor mirror, the fairest of them all will be anyone passing by. Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 2 Dec. 2024 The flattering high rise and wide leg make this pair stand out from the pack. Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 29 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for flattering 

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of flattering was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near flattering

Cite this Entry

“Flattering.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flattering. Accessed 11 Dec. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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