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flattering

   Also found in: Legal, Encyclopedia 0.01 sec.
flat·ter 1  (fltr)
v. flat·tered, flat·ter·ing, flat·ters
v.tr.
1. To compliment excessively and often insincerely, especially in order to win favor.
2. To please or gratify the vanity of: "What really flatters a man is that you think him worth flattering" (George Bernard Shaw).
3.
a. To portray favorably: a photograph that flatters its subject.
b. To show off becomingly or advantageously.
v.intr.
To practice flattery.

[Middle English flateren, from Old French flater, of Germanic origin; see plat- in Indo-European roots.]

flatter·er n.
flatter·ing·ly adv.

flat·ter 2  (fltr)
n.
1. A flat-faced swage or hammer used by blacksmiths.
2. A die plate for flattening metal into strips, as in the manufacture of watch springs.
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Adj.1.flattering - showing or representing to advantage; "a flattering color"
uncomplimentary, unflattering - showing or representing unfavorably; "an unflattering portrait"; "an uncomplimentary dress"

flattering
adjective
1. becoming, kind, effective, enhancing, well-chosen It wasn't a very flattering photograph.
becoming plain, unattractive, unflattering, warts and all, unbecoming, not shown in the best light, not shown to advantage
3. pleasing, satisfying, gratifying, pleasurable It is very flattering to be spoken of like that.
Translations
flattering [ˈflætərɪŋ] ADJ
1. (= complimentary) [remark, words] → halagador
the play had very flattering reviewsla obra recibió críticas muy halagadoras or halagüeñas
he was very flattering about youhabló muy bien de ti
that's not very flattering to him!¡vaya imagen que pintas de él!(iro)
2. (= gratifying) it was flattering to be told how indispensable he wasle halagó que le dijeran lo indispensable que era
he found the interest in him flatteringse sentía halagado por la atención que le prestaban
3. (= fawning) → adulador
she was surrounded by flattering admirersestaba rodeada de admiradores que la adulaban
4. [photo, clothes] → favorecedor
that dress isn't flattering at all on youese vestido no te favorece nada
flattering [ˈflætərɪŋ] adj
[remark] → flatteur/euse
it is flattering to do ... → c'est flatteur de faire ...
It's flattering to be considered for such a role → C'est flatteur d'être retenu pour le rôle.
[clothes, hairstyle] → avantageux/euse; [photo] → flatteur/euse
flattering
adj
(= complimentary) remarkschmeichelhaft; personschmeichlerisch; she was very flattering about yousie hat sich sehr schmeichelhaft über Sie geäußert; this was hardly flattering to herdas war nicht gerade schmeichelhaft für sie
(= becoming, attractive) clothes, colourvorteilhaft; photographschmeichelhaft; lighter hair shades are more flattering to your complexionhellere Haarfarben sind vorteilhafter für Ihren Teint
flattering [ˈflætərɪŋ] adj (person, remark) → lusinghiero/a; (clothes) → che dona, che abbellisce
this photo of you is not very flattering → questa foto non ti fa onore
flattering [ˈflætərɪŋ] adj (person, remark) → lusinghiero/a; (clothes) → che dona, che abbellisce
this photo of you is not very flattering → questa foto non ti fa onore


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Often she was very sad and lonely, and it happened that one day while she was seated at the window, letting salt tears drop on her work, an old woman, a kind, homely-looking old body, stepped up to the window, and, leaning upon her crutch, addressed the Queen in friendly, flattering tones, saying:
WHEN the author of these little tales commenced them, it was her intention to form a short series of such stories as, it was hoped, might not be entirely without moral advantage; but unforeseen circumstances have prevented their completion, and, unwilling to delay the publication any longer, she commits them to the world in their present unfinished state, without any flattering anticipations of their reception.
Hunt and his party at Astoria, and giving the most flattering accounts of the prosperity of the enterprise.
 
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