flatter

CEFRC1

/ˈflætɚ/

verb · adjective

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    verb

    To praise someone too much, often to gain something.

  2. 02

    verb

    Extra detail

    To compliment someone, often (but not necessarily) insincerely and sometimes to win favour.

Examples

  • I flatter myself that I'm the best golfer in the club.

  • You don't need to flatter your boss.

At a glance

Sits at C1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
2
Citations
5
Synonyms
5

Also pronounced

  • [ˈflæɾɚ]

Deep Dive

verb

Extra meanings

  1. To enhance or gratify someone's vanity by praising them.

  2. To portray someone to advantage.

adjective

Extra meaning

  1. comparative form of flat: more flat

More examples

In context

  • Before the results came out, I flattered myself that I had done well on the test. It turned out I was the worst in the class!

  • 1855, William H. Prescott, History of the Reign of Philip the Second, King of Spain, Boston: Phillips, Sampson & Co., Volume 1, Book 1, Chapter 7, p. 242, Some he complimented for their bravery; others he flattered by asking their advice.

  • Her portrait flatters her.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

It's easy to blank someone by complimenting their work, even if you don't mean it.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

verb

From flat + -er (comparative suffix). Compare Icelandic flatari (“flatter, more flat”).