flatter
/ˈflætɚ/ verb C1- To compliment someone, often (but not necessarily) insincerely and sometimes to win favour.
- To enhance or gratify someone's vanity by praising them.
- To portray someone to advantage. · Her portrait flatters her.
- To encourage or cheer someone with (usually false) hope.
- 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!
He/she/it flatters · Past flattered · Past participle flattered · -ing form flattering
Verb forms
- Base form
- flatter
- He/she/it
- flatters
- Past
- flattered
- Past participle
- flattered
- -ing form
- flattering
From the library
I flatter myself that I can distinguish at a glance the ash of any known brand, either of cigar or of tobacco.
“I flatter myself that I have managed it rather neatly,” the detective answered proudly.
Were the same fair prospect to arise at present, as had flattered them a year ago, everything, she was persuaded, would be hastening to the same vexatious conclusion.
Then Shere Khan would flatter them and wonder that such fine young hunters were content to be led by a dying wolf and a man’s cub.
Other matches
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