flattering

Also found in: Thesaurus, Legal, Idioms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.

flat·ter¹

(flăt′ər)

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).

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.]

flat′ter·er n.

flat′ter·ing·ly adv.

flat·ter²

(flăt′ər)

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.

flattering

(ˈflætərɪŋ)

adj

1. censorious insincerely praising

2. gratifying to the ego; pleasing: It's flattering to be considered for such a role..

3. that shows someone or something to advantage: a refreshing new look that's flattering to skins of all ages.

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Switch to new thesaurus

Adj.

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

2. ingratiating, complimentary, gratifying, fawning, sugary, fulsome, laudatory, adulatory, honeyed, honey-tongued The press was flattering.
ingratiating straight, blunt, honest, candid, uncomplimentary

3. pleasing, satisfying, gratifying, pleasurable It is very flattering to be spoken of like that.

flattering

adjective

Pleasingly suited to the wearer:

attractive, becoming.

Translations

schmeichelhaft

zalamero

imartelevamairitteleva

flatteur

adulatorio

smickrande

flattering

[ˈflætərɪŋ] ADJ

1. (= complimentary) [remark, words] → halagador
the play had very flattering reviews → la obra recibió críticas muy halagadoras or halagüeñas
he was very flattering about you → habló 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 was → le halagó que le dijeran lo indispensable que era
he found the interest in him flattering → se sentía halagado por la atención que le prestaban

3. (= fawning) → adulador
she was surrounded by flattering admirers → estaba rodeada de admiradores que la adulaban

4. [photo, clothes] → favorecedor
that dress isn't flattering at all on you → ese 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) remark → schmeichelhaft; person → schmeichlerisch; she was very flattering about you → sie hat sich sehr schmeichelhaft über Sie geäußert; this was hardly flattering to her → das war nicht gerade schmeichelhaft für sie

(= becoming, attractive) clothes, colour → vorteilhaft; photograph → schmeichelhaft; lighter hair shades are more flattering to your complexion → hellere 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

References in classic literature ?

To such perseverance in wilful self-deception Elizabeth would make no reply, and immediately and in silence withdrew, determined, that if he persisted in considering her repeated refusals as flattering encouragement, to apply to her father, whose negative might be uttered in such a manner as to be decisive, and whose behavior at least could not be mistaken for the affectation and coquetry of an elegant female.

View in context

The Tilneys, they, by whom, above all, she desired to be favourably thought of, outstripped even her wishes in the flattering measures by which their intimacy was to be continued.

View in context

He commenced by flattering the self-love of his auditors; a never-failing method of commanding attention.

When these several arrangements were made, Magua passed through the village, stopping here and there to pay a visit where he thought his presence might be flattering to the individual.

View in context

There are various ways of flattering, and, of course, you must adapt your style to your subject.

View in context

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.

View in context

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:

And so, in all ignorance, the Queen followed her out into the garden and listened to her smooth, flattering words.

View in context

The progress of the war was eagerly followed, and only the reports most flattering to our army were circulated.

View in context

She'll never again think me anything but a paltry pretence-- too nice to take heaven except upon flattering conditions, and yet selling myself for any devil's change by the sly.

View in context

HIGHLIGHT YOUR BEST BITS A v-neck will show off a great cleavage, the belt on this will create a flattering hourglass silhouette.

Slimming buys; January diet not going so well? These clever styling tricks will make you appear slimmer in seconds

A v-neck will show off a great cleavage, while the belt on this dress will create a flattering hourglass silhouette.

9 fashion slimming tricks and buys that will make you lose pounds instantly - without the need to diet; January diet not going so well? These clever styling tricks will make you appear slimmer in seconds..