Word
flattery
Phoneticsflat·tery
US/ˈfɫætɝi/
UK/flˈætəɹi/
Definition
n. the act of saying nice things to someone to make them feel good or to get something from them. It is often used when someone is trying to be polite or to gain favor.
n. the act of expressing excessive praise or admiration, often with the intent of gaining favor or advantage. It can be genuine or insincere depending on the speaker's intent.
Examples
“He was very annoyed by the constant flattery.”
“The politician's speech was full of flattery toward the wealthy donors who funded his campaign.”
“While some people enjoy the flattery of their peers, others find it exhausting to maintain a facade of constant approval when they know the truth.”
Examples
simple
“He was very annoyed by the constant flattery.”
contextual
“The politician's speech was full of flattery toward the wealthy donors who funded his campaign.”
complex
“While some people enjoy the flattery of their peers, others find it exhausting to maintain a facade of constant approval when they know the truth.”
Etymology
From Middle English flaterye, flaterie, from Old French flaterie, from the verb flater (“to flatter”). By surface analysis, flatter + -y (forming abstract nouns).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Related words
- 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
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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