# flattering

/ˈfɫætɝɪŋ/ (US) · /flˈætəɹɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/flattering
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. making you look good

adjective · CEFR B2

making someone look more attractive than they usually do.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. pleasing to your ego

adjective · CEFR B2

making you feel important, proud, or pleased with yourself.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. too favourable

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

showing something in a way that is better than the truth.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- That blue dress is very flattering on you.
- The photographer used soft lighting to create a flattering portrait that hid the subject's wrinkles.
- While the review was generally flattering, the author noted that the protagonist's motivations remained somewhat opaque throughout the second act.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.