- pronunciation:
- flae
t
r
- 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
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| 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
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| related words: |
charm, extol, inflate, praise |
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| part of speech: |
intransitive verb |
| definition: |
to employ flattery.
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| related words: |
grovel, wheedle |
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| derivations: |
flattering (adj.), flatteringly (adv.), flatterer (n.) |
Flatter comes from an early French word that means "to caress."