From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishflatterflat‧ter /ˈflætə $ -ər/ ●○○ verb [transitive] 1 PRAISEto praise someone in order to please them or get something from them, even though you do not mean it Perry would always flatter Mrs. Mitchell by praising her cooking.► see thesaurus at praise2 SUIT/LOOK GOOD TOGETHERto make someone look as attractive as they can SYN suit That dress really flatters your figure.3 to make something look or seem more important or better than it is Lewis’s novel doesn’t flatter Midwestern attitudes and morals.4 → flatter yourself —flatterer noun [countable]→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
flatter• But, of course, I am sneakily flattered.• I prefer the black to the red because it's more flattering.• I was really flattered by his attentions.• His flattering comments embarrassed her.• Millionaire actresses in major Hollywood films routinely show more flesh in far more flattering fashion.• This was his recital of flattering greetings.• Flatter her a little - tell her she's beautiful.• He agreed to do it because it flattered his ego.• Don't try to flatter me!• Lewis' novel doesn't flatter Midwestern attitudes and morals.• This is a spotlight that is as harsh and cruel to the loser as it is flattering to the victor.Origin flatter (1100-1200) Old French flater “to move the tongue against, flatter” 