Word
flattering
Phoneticsflat·ter·ing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈfɫætɝɪŋ/
UK/flˈætəɹɪŋ/
Definitions
01making you look good
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. making someone look more attractive than they usually do.
adj. enhancing one's physical appearance or making a person look more attractive than is typical.
“That dark blue shirt is very flattering on you because it matches your eyes.”
“The photographer used soft, diffused lighting to create a flattering portrait that minimised the subject's wrinkles and imperfections.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
02pleasing to your ego
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. making you feel important, proud, or pleased with yourself.
adj. gratifying to one's self-esteem or ego; providing a sense of being admired or valued.
“It was very flattering to be invited to speak at the international conference.”
“While the job offer was incredibly flattering, she ultimately decided that the commute would be too taxing for her family life.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
03too favourable
C1 · Advanced Formal
adj. showing something in a way that is better than the truth.
adj. representing something or someone more favourably than is actually deserved or accurate.
“The biography gave a very flattering account of the king's difficult reign.”
“Critics argued that the documentary provided a flattering and one-sided view of the company's environmental record, ignoring several major scandals.”
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“Even worse than being called “girl” or “lady” ( Letters, 5 October ) is being called “young lady” by men 50 years my junior, who think they are flattering me.” “He said Jones would welcome him with a hug and a kiss on the cheek and use flattering terms like “champion” and “beautiful man”.” “But bear in mind that warm colours in general: yellows, oranges and pinks, may be the most flattering option for the humans in the room.” “If you want the soft, flattering flicker of candlelight, get cheap church pillars from Ikea.” Etymology
From Middle English flatering, flatrung (gerund), equivalent to flatter + -ing.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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