1. lavish insincere praise and compliments upon (someone), especially to further one's own interests: "she was flattering him to avoid doing what he wanted"Similarcomplimentpraisecommendadmireexpress admiration forpay tribute tosay nice things aboutpay court topay blandishments tofawn onwax lyrical aboutmake much ofcajolehumorblarneyinformal:sweet-talksoft-soapbutter uplay it on thicklay it on with a trowelplay up tosuck up tocrawl tocreep tobe all overfall all overflannelarchaic:blandishrare:laudpanegyrizeOppositeinsult
▪ make (someone) feel honored and pleased: "I was very flattered to be given the commission"Similarhonorgratifypleasegive pleasure tomake someone pleased/gladdelightgladdeninformal:tickle pinkOppositeoffend
▪ make oneself feel pleased by believing something favorable about oneself, typically something that is unfounded: "I flatter myself I'm the best dressed man here"
▪ give an unrealistically favorable impression of: "the portraitist flatters his sitter to the detriment of his art"
▪ (of a color or a style of clothing) make (someone) appear more attractive or to the best advantage: "the muted fuchsia shade flattered her pale skin"Similarsuitbecomeset offshow to advantageenhancelook good onlook right onbe appropriate togo well withembellishornamentgracebefitinformal:do something forOppositeclash with
▪ please (the ear or eye):"the beauty of the stone flattered the young clergyman's eyes"
Word OriginMiddle English: perhaps a back-formation from flattery.
