Flattery Meaning
/ˈflæt.ə.ɹi/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounExcessive praise or approval, which is often insincere and sometimes contrived to win favour.
nounAn instance of excessive praise.
Sentence Examples
The attendant is good at flattery.
The cabin attendant is good at flattery.
There is nothing to be gained by flattery.
CEFR Practice Quiz
Her constant compliments were clearly just ____, as she only wanted a favor.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Although he appreciated the ____, he knew that his colleagues were only trying to gain his favor.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English flaterye, flaterie, from Old French flaterie, from the verb flater (“to flatter”). By surface analysis, flatter + -y (forming abstract nouns).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"That the young Mr. Churchills liked—but they did not like him coming round of an evening and drinking weak whisky-and-water while he held forth on railway debentures and corporation loans. Mr. Barrett, however, by fawning and flattery, seemed to be able to make not only Mrs. Churchill but everyone else do what he desired."
— 1918, W[illiam] B[abington] Maxwell, chapter II, in The Mirror and the Lamp, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, →OCLC:
"But I pitty the flatteries, and ſelfe-applauſes of a careleſſe and impenitent heart: This jollity hath in it much danger, and vvithout ſome change, death."
— 1651, Jos[eph] Hall, “Soliloq[uy] XI. False Joy.”, in Susurrium cum Deo. Soliloquies: Or, Holy Self-conferences of the Devout Soul, […], 2nd edition, London: […] Will[iam] Hunt, and are to be sold by George Lathum junior, […], →OCLC, page 37:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
Her constant compliments were clearly just ____, as she only wanted a favor.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Although he appreciated the ____, he knew that his colleagues were only trying to gain his favor.