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

Right now, Spanx's Black Friday sale is massive, with customer-favorite pieces like the viral half-zip hoodie and the impossibly flattering colorblock track pants marked down up to 60 percent through Cyber Monday. —Gabriela Garcia, Travel + Leisure, 26 Nov. 2025

With 19,500 five-star ratings on Amazon, these Levi jeans are a hit with shoppers thanks to their stretchy fabric and flattering fit. —Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 26 Nov. 2025

The apparent naming mishap in The Four Spent the Day Together casts these variations in a less flattering light. —Victor J. Blue, Harpers Magazine, 23 Nov. 2025

Gloria Vanderbilt fans go hard for their favorite denim brand, and rightfully so, because it is known for its comfortable, flattering fits at super low prices. —Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Nov. 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