flatter 
flat·ter (flat′ər)
transitive verb
- to praise too much, untruly, or insincerely, as in order to win favor
- to try to please, or ingratiate oneself with, by praise and attention
- to make seem better or more attractive than is so his portrait flatters him
- to make feel pleased or honored; gratify the vanity of it's flattering to be remembered
- to please or gratify (the eye, ear, senses, etc.)
- to encourage, esp. falsely
Etymology: ME flateren < OFr flater, to smooth, caress with flat hand < Frank *flat, akin to OHG flaz, flat
intransitive verb
to use flattery
flatter oneself
to hold the self-satisfying or self-deluding belief (that)
flat·ter (flat′ər)
noun
- a person who flattens something
- a drawplate for forming flat strips
- a smith's forging tool with a broad, flat face
flat·ter (flat′ər)
adjective, adverb
flatter
v.
To praise unduly
overpraise, adulate, laud, glorify; see compliment 1, praise 1.To fawn upon
kowtow to, toady to, butter up*; see compliment 1, grovel.To be becoming to a wearer
become, enhance, suit, beautify, grace, embellish, enrich, adorn, go with; see also become 2.
Object
- scoreline: City fans who weren't there could easily get carried away by the overall flattering scoreline.
- neckline: It is not too tight, not too loose, with a flattering round neckline and shaped sleeves.
- portrait: It also features a Soft focus filter that can be used to achieve more flattering portraits.
- delight: Ah whither will you lead me flattering delight, Will you then betray me, once again?
- shape: Geoffrey's agenda was to give a more flattering shape to the history of the Britons.
- fit: Slim fitting ladies ' tee shirt made from cotton fabric with slight stretch for a flattering fit.
Converse of object
- become: The land which the river flows over is becoming flatter.
Subject
- attention: The San Diego County judge who issued the restraining order told him that he should be flattered by the attention.
Adjective modifier
- little: The octave nominals are a little flatter than in modern bells.
Modifies a noun
- structure: Much flatter structures means career management might not offer a move up the ladder.
- area: Few areas of the tips can be fenced effectively, although itâs more practical on flatter areas, where electric fencing has been trialed.
Modifying Another Word
- incredibly: Rockwell, in particular, remains incredibly flattered by Clooney's loyalty toward him, saying: " It's really amazing.
- somewhat: Yet they would be the first to admit that the scoreline was somewhat flattering.
- slightly: At this stage, a 1:1 scoreline with two matches to play is slightly flattering to Australia.
- rather: Two of their goals came in the final three minutes to give the final scoreline a rather flattering look.
- quite: I think he was quite flattered actually, he was very into it.
Used with why or when
- when: John gave Ollie most of his sardines and was flattered when the cat jumped up on his knee.
Infinitive complement
- deceive: Perhaps they also sometimes flatter only to deceive planners.
Preposition: by
- attention: The San Diego County judge who issued the restraining order told him that he should be flattered by the attention.
Hope, art thou true, or dost thou flatter me?
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