Word Adjective
unflattering
adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ənˈfɫætɝɪŋ/ UK /ʌnflˈætəɹɪŋ/ un·flat·ter·ing
Definition
adj.describing something that makes a person look or feel bad. You use this to talk about photos, clothes, or comments that do not look good on someone.
adj.describing a person or thing in a way that is unattractive or damaging to their reputation. Often used to describe physical appearance or critical feedback.
Examples
“The camera took an unflattering photo of him.”
“She avoided wearing that dress because it was unflattering and made her feel uncomfortable in the office.”
“The documentary was criticized for its unflattering portrayal of the politician, focusing on his personal failures rather than his public achievements.”
Etymology
From un- + flattering.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated