1 flatter | Definition of flatter

flatter

verb
flat·​ter | \ ˈfla-tər How to pronounce flatter (audio) \
flattered; flattering; flatters

Definition of flatter

 (Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to praise excessively especially from motives of self-interest He flattered her with comments about how youthful she looks.
2a archaic : beguile sense 2
b : to encourage or gratify especially with the assurance that something is right I flatter myself that my interpretation is correct.
3a : to portray too favorably The portrait flatters him.
b : to display to advantage Candlelight often flatters the face.

flatter

noun

Definition of flatter (Entry 2 of 2)

: one that flattens especially : a flat-faced swage used in smithing

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Other Words from flatter

Verb

flatterer \ ˈfla-​tər-​ər How to pronounce flatterer (audio) \ noun

Examples of flatter in a Sentence

Verb

He flattered her with comments about her youthful appearance. It flattered her to be asked to sing at their wedding. That dress really flatters your figure.
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Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

But they are flattered that outsiders are interested, and insist on their right to parley with all comers. The Economist, "Greenlanders say Donald Trump should have asked them first," 24 Aug. 2019 For comparison, Berkshire Hathaway’s profit in the same period—flattered by movements in its equity holdings—was $35.7 billion. Adam Rasmi, Quartz, "Saudi Aramco’s first-half profit fell to a mere $47 billion," 12 Aug. 2019 White is flattered by talk of similarities with him, Lewis and Willis at this stage of their careers. Fred Goodall, orlandosentinel.com, "Rookie LB Devin White new face of Tampa Bay’s defense," 2 Aug. 2019 Even that number, disclosed with preliminary results Friday, was flattered by a big one-time gain in its display segment. Jacky Wong, WSJ, "Samsung Memory-Chip Pain Isn’t Fading," 5 July 2019 Hill, who has previously collaborated with Morphe Cosmetics on multiple collections, debuted with 20 nude lipsticks meant to flatter all skin tones — but the reactions have been mixed. Aimee Simeon, refinery29.com, "Everything You Need To Know About The Jaclyn Hill Lipstick Drama," 15 June 2019 David Byrne inducted Radiohead, noting he was flattered the band named itself after one of his songs. David Bauder, The Seattle Times, "Jackson, Nicks enter hall with encouragement for women," 31 Mar. 2019 Still, Leanne and Steve Ford are flattered by the frequent comparison. Leora Arnowitz, Fox News, "HGTV's 'Restored by the Fords' stars talk 'Property Brothers' comparisons, newfound fame," 9 Aug. 2018 The tech monopolies leaned into this idea, appealing to and flattering our selfishness and solipsism. Renee Diresta, WIRED, "Seeing Through Silicon Valley’s Shameless ‘Disruption’," 28 July 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Today a big concern is deflation, and that concern tends to keep the yield curve flatter. San Diego Union-Tribune, "Econometer: Is the yield curve change a sign of a recession?," 23 Aug. 2019 Turns one and two to are higher-banked, sweeping turns where drivers can use a lot of throttle while turns three and four are flatter turns with a flatter entry, which cause the drivers to balance the steering, throttle and brake more. Jason Hoffman, Cincinnati.com, "Could Alex Bowman get second win and break Chevy's losing streak at the Quaker State 400?," 10 July 2019 The far side is more varied and pocked with craters than the flatter near side. Matthew W. Chwastyk, National Geographic, "Explore 50 years of lunar visits with our newest moon map," 17 June 2019 Geologists will want rock specimens from edges of crates and peaks, not just the flatter, less rocky areas the lunar lander can touch down on. Alex Stuckey, Houston Chronicle, "Listen: Experts look ahead to lunar buggies," 12 June 2019 Winter says the flatter the finish, the better—and the less likely your eye will pick those blemishes in the ceiling up. Elizabeth Gulino, House Beautiful, "Everything You've Ever Needed to Know About Painting Your Ceilings," 15 Mar. 2019 On The Valley, there are straight downhill tee shots on the par 4 first and par 3 tenth holes, straight uphill approach shots on the par 4 ninth and par 3 18th, along with several flatter and more manageable layouts in between. Brent Kennedy, baltimoresun.com, "Hunt Valley Country Club," 11 July 2018 Towards dusk, as the two friends headed down from the falls into flatter, more open country, a crowd of villagers surrounded their car. The Economist, "From dusty villages to Delhi, Indians seek people to persecute," 5 July 2018 The first had been a much flatter and shorter practice run down at sea level at Point Reyes National Seashore. Tara Duggan, San Francisco Chronicle, "Yosemite backpacking with kids is worth a few tears," 26 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'flatter.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of flatter

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1714, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for flatter

Verb

Middle English flateren, from Anglo-French flater to lap, flatter, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German flaz flat

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More Definitions for flatter

flatter

verb

English Language Learners Definition of flatter

: to praise (someone) in a way that is not sincere
: to cause (someone) to feel pleased by showing respect, affection, or admiration
: to show or describe (someone or something) in a way that is very favorable or too favorable

flatter

verb
flat·​ter | \ ˈfla-tər How to pronounce flatter (audio) \
flattered; flattering

Kids Definition of flatter

1 : to praise but not sincerely “You haven't changed since the day we met,” Grandpa flattered Grandma.
2 : to cause to feel pleased by showing respect or admiration