flattering
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
making someone look more attractive than they usually do.
enhancing one's physical appearance or making a person look more attractive than is typical.
Simple“That dark blue shirt is very flattering on you because it matches your eyes.”
In context“The photographer used soft, diffused lighting to create a flattering portrait that minimised the subject's wrinkles and imperfections.”
SynonymsAntonyms - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
making you feel important, proud, or pleased with yourself.
gratifying to one's self-esteem or ego; providing a sense of being admired or valued.
Simple“It was very flattering to be invited to speak at the international conference.”
In context“While the job offer was incredibly flattering, she ultimately decided that the commute would be too taxing for her family life.”
SynonymsAntonyms - 03 C1 Advanced
showing something in a way that is better than the truth.
representing something or someone more favourably than is actually deserved or accurate.
Simple“The biography gave a very flattering account of the king's difficult reign.”
In context“Critics argued that the documentary provided a flattering and one-sided view of the company's environmental record, ignoring several major scandals.”
Synonyms
From Middle English flatering, flatrung (gerund), equivalent to flatter + -ing.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.