flattering

F4L1A1T1T1E1R1I1N1G2
/ˈflætəɹɪŋ/

adjective

Attractive or good-looking; that makes one look good.

“The dress really did not look very flattering on her figure.”

Similar
becomingflatterysoft sawderadulatoryingratiatinginsinuatingingratiatory
Opposite
unbecomingunflattering
OriginMiddle English flatering →
Less commonScrabble 14
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Meanings

adjectiveflattering (comparative more flattering, superlative most flattering)

comparative more flattering · superlative most flattering

  1. Attractive or good-looking; that makes one look good.

    The dress really did not look very flattering on her figure.

    Synonyms: becoming · Antonyms: unbecoming, unflattering

  2. Gratifying to one's self-esteem; complimentary.
  3. That which represents too favorably.
verb
  1. gerundparticiplepresentpresent participle and gerund of flatter
nounflattering (plural flatterings)

plural flatterings

  1. The action of the verb to flatter.
  2. Instances of flattery.

Synonyms & antonyms

adjectiveAttractive or good-looking; that makes one look good.

Similar
becoming
Opposite
unbecomingunflattering
Similar
flatterysoft sawder

More synonyms by meaning

adjectiveshowing or representing to advantage

Similar
adulatorybecomingingratiatinginsinuatingingratiatory
Opposite
unflattering

adjectiveobsequiously complimentary

Similar
adulatory
Also see
adulatorybecomingcourtlyingratiatingingratiatorysmarmy

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

  1. Middle Englishflatering
  2. Englishflattering

From Middle English flatering, flatrung (gerund), equivalent to flatter + -ing.

More words from Middle English

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Bulgarian привлекателен, обаятелен
  • привлекателен (privlekatelen)attractive or good-looking; that makes one look good
  • обаятелен (obajatelen)attractive or good-looking; that makes one look good
  • похвален (pohvalen)gratifying, complimentary
  • ласкателен (laskatelen)that which represents too favorably
Catalan afalagador
  • afalagadorattractive or good-looking; that makes one look good
Danish flatterende
  • flatterendeattractive or good-looking; that makes one look good
Esperanto flata
  • flatathat which represents too favorably
Finnish imarteleva, mairitteleva
  • imartelevaattractive or good-looking; that makes one look good
  • mairittelevaattractive or good-looking; that makes one look good
German schmeichelhaft
  • schmeichelhaftattractive or good-looking; that makes one look good
Greek κολακευτικός
  • κολακευτικός (kolakeftikós)attractive or good-looking; that makes one look good
Hungarian előnyös, kedvező
  • előnyösattractive or good-looking; that makes one look good
  • kedvezőattractive or good-looking; that makes one look good
  • megtisztelőgratifying, complimentary
  • jólesőgratifying, complimentary
  • elismerőgratifying, complimentary
  • hízelgőthat which represents too favorably
Norwegian Bokmål flatterende
  • flatterendeattractive or good-looking; that makes one look good
Spanish lisonjero, lisonjeador
  • lisonjeroattractive or good-looking; that makes one look good
  • lisonjeadorattractive or good-looking; that makes one look good
Swedish smickrande
  • smickrandeattractive or good-looking; that makes one look good
Cite this entry
APA

flattering. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/flattering

MLA

“flattering.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/flattering. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “flattering,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/flattering.

Source: flattering on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.