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

The results were not entirely flattering. —James McNicholas, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026

Even shoppers who struggle to find pants that fit their waists, hips, and everywhere else attest to the flattering look of this Dlooda pair. —Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 4 Mar. 2026

The Gorglitter Low-rise Dress Pants are a prime example of honoring Y2K culture without sacrificing a flattering fit. —Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 4 Mar. 2026

If something sounds too easy, too flattering, or too urgent, trust your instincts or use your phone-a-friend option and ask someone whose name isn’t on the cover of your book for an objective opinion. —Jessica Pellien, Literary Hub, 3 Mar. 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