FLATTERING • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Flattering

Add this Dictionary
to your website!
See more options...

/flˈætərɪŋ/ Listen

verb

Flatter v. t. (past & past part. flattered; pres. part. flattering)

To treat with praise or blandishments; to gratify or attempt to gratify the self-love or vanity of, esp. by artful and interested commendation or attentions; to blandish; to cajole; to wheedle. "When I tell him he hates flatterers, He says he does, being then most flattered." "A man that flattereth his neighbor, spreadeth a net for his feet." "Others he flattered by asking their advice."

To raise hopes in; to encourage or favorable, but sometimes unfounded or deceitful, representations.

To portray too favorably; to give a too favorable idea of; as, his portrait flatters him.

Flatter v. i. To use flattery or insincere praise. "If it may stand him more in stead to lie, Say and unsay, feign, flatter, or adjure."

adjective

Flattering adj. That flatters (in the various senses of the verb); as, a flattering speech. "Lay not that flattering unction to your soul." "A flattering painter, who made it his care, To draw men as they ought be, not as they are."

See images of 'Flattering'

Etymology of 'Flattering'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

Share |

"Flattering" Quotes from Famous Books

... Honour.... But my desire is now to have Leisure without Loitering, and not to become an abbey-lubber, as the old proverb was, but to yield some fruit of my private life.... If King Henry were alive again, I hope verily he would not be so angry with me for not flattering him, as well pleased in seeing himself so truly described in colours that will last and ...

— Bacon - English Men Of Letters, Edited By John Morley • Richard William Church

... writer of the fourteenth century B.C. It is only by a figure of speech that this poem can be called an epic; it is rather a historical narrative couched in terms of poetic exaggeration with the object of flattering the royal vanity ...

— Egyptian Literature

... that affects about everyone here. Colonel Munson, who relieves General Bourke as colonel of the regiment, is in St. Paul, and is well known as inspector general of this department, which perhaps is not the most flattering introduction he could have had to his new regiment. He telegraphed, as soon as promoted, that he desired Faye to continue as adjutant, but of course to be on the staff of a general is far in advance of being on the staff of a colonel. The colonel ...

— Army Letters from an Officer's Wife, 1871-1888 • Frances M.A. Roe

... says that 'gifts are divers,' my friend. Well, my two boys will never be brilliant scholars, that is certain; but I hope, for that very reason, Alf may make the braver soldier and Ben the bolder sailor." And having laid this flattering unction to his soul, the old man felt no malice against our boy ...

— Ishmael - In the Depths • Mrs. E. D. E. N. Southworth

... stuff at best," he remarked to himself, making a wry face. "Fit only for medicine. Not much danger of my ever loving it again. I wish Anna was not so foolish. A flattering opinion she ...

— The Lights and Shadows of Real Life • T.S. Arthur

More quotes...