Sekirov Dictionary

flatter

UK /ˈflætə/US /ˈflætɚ/

verb 6
noun 5
forms 5

verb6

•
To compliment someone, often (but not necessarily) insincerely and sometimes to win favour.
- A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet. — 1611
To enhance or gratify someone's vanity by praising them.
To encourage or cheer someone with (usually false) hope.
•
[with oneself] To cheer or please (with the idea that); congratulate oneself, especially when the perception is false.
- 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!
•
To portray someone to advantage.
- Her portrait flatters her.
[with oneself] (no longer used) In phrasal verb "to flatter with": to encourage, inspire with hope.

noun5

(UK, slang) Someone who lives in a rented flat.
Someone who flattens, purposely or accidentally. Also flattener.
A type of set tool used by blacksmiths.
A flat-faced fulling hammer.
A drawplate with a narrow, rectangular orifice, for drawing flat strips such as watch springs.

forms

flattered · flattering · flattereth · flatters · flatterest

This dictionary works without the internet: on your phone · in Chrome