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flat·ter1

flatter1

 
 
pronunciation:
flae tr
parts of speech:
transitive verb, intransitive verb
features:
Word Combinations (verb), Word History
part of speech: transitive verb
inflections: flatters, flattering, flattered
definition 1: to please with compliments.
You do flatter me when you say such nice things about my piano playing!
antonyms:
abuse, insult
definition 2: to attempt to gratify the vanity of; praise insincerely or excessively.
They all flattered the rich and influential tycoon, hoping he would take them into his circle of friends.She was aware that he was only flattering her, but she didn't mind because she liked the attention.
definition 3: to represent favorably or show off to advantage.
That photograph really flatters him; it makes him look much younger.That color of clothing flatters her.
similar words:
become
 
part of speech: intransitive verb
definition: to employ flattery.
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
derivations: flattering (adj.), flatteringly (adv.), flatterer (n.)
Word History
Flatter comes from an early French word that means "to caress."