flatter

¹

[ flat-er ]

verb (used with object)

1. to try to please by complimentary remarks or attention.
2. to praise or compliment insincerely, effusively, or excessively:

   She flatters him by constantly praising his books.

3. to represent favorably; gratify by falsification:

   The portrait flatters her.

4. to show to advantage:

   a hairstyle that flatters the face.

5. to play upon the vanity or susceptibilities of; cajole, wheedle, or beguile:

   They flattered him into contributing heavily to the foundation.

6. to please or gratify by compliments or attentions:

   I was flattered by their invitation.

7. to feel satisfaction with (oneself), especially with reference to an accomplishment, act, or occasion:

   He flattered himself that the dinner had gone well.

8. to beguile with hope; encourage prematurely, falsely, etc.

verb (used without object)

1. to use flattery.

flatter

²

[ flat-er ]

noun

1. a person or thing that makes something flat.
2. a flat-faced blacksmith's tool, laid on a forging and struck with a hammer to smooth the surface of the forging.
3. a drawplate with a flat orifice for drawing flat metal strips, as for watch springs.

flatter

¹

/ ˈflætə /

noun

1. a blacksmith's tool, resembling a flat-faced hammer, that is placed on forged work and struck to smooth the surface of the forging
2. a die with a narrow rectangular orifice for drawing flat sections

flatter

²

/ ˈflætə /

verb

1. to praise insincerely, esp in order to win favour or reward
2. to show to advantage

   that dress flatters her

3. tr to make to appear more attractive, etc, than in reality
4. to play upon or gratify the vanity of (a person)

   it flatters her to be remembered

5. tr to beguile with hope; encourage, esp falsely

   this success flattered him into believing himself a champion

6. tr to congratulate or deceive (oneself)

   I flatter myself that I am the best

Derived Forms

• ˈflatteringly, adverb
• ˈflatterer, noun
• ˈflatterable, adjective

Other Words From

• flat·ter·a·ble adjective
• flat·ter·er noun
• un·flat·ter·a·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of flatter¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English flat(t)eren “to float, flutter, fawn upon,” Old English floterian “to float, flutter”; for sense development, flicker ¹, Old Norse flathra; reinforced by Old French flatter “to flatter,” literally, “to stroke, caress” (probably from unattested Frankish flat- flat ¹ )

Origin of flatter²

First recorded in 1705–15; flat ¹ + -er ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of flatter¹

C13: probably from Old French flater to lick, fawn upon, of Frankish origin

Example Sentences

They flatter Trump the most of anyone, and Trump loves to be flattered.

From Slate

They like the bluster and the imprecision; they like the bigotry and the transphobia; they like the obvious lies that flatter their own biases.

From Slate

The phalanx of loyal messengers who were pardoned have, since Trump was voted out of office, continued to amplify the election-conspiracy claims that flatter Trump’s ego and strengthen the idea that he was robbed of power.

From Slate

"The pitch certainly appeared like it was a little bit flatter than we first expected. The game is in the balance."

From BBC

Rule No. 7, as I understand it, isn’t meant to invite complacency, or to flatter many Tampeños’ unfortunate belief in their region’s alleged invulnerability to direct hurricane damage.

From Slate

Related Words

• charm