flatter — to praise someone excessively or insincerely, especially to gain favor
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to praise someone excessively or insincerely, especially to gain favor
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈflætər/
Example Sentences
- Don't flatter yourself - you're not that irresistible to mosquitoes!
- The politician flattered the voters with empty promises during the campaign.
- I'm flattered you think I can eat 10 pizzas, but I'm only human!
flatter
VERB[/ˈflætər/]
to praise someone excessively or insincerely, especially to gain favor
과체중인 왕을 보며, 교활한 화가는 그에게 아첨하기(flatter) 위해 매우 잘생긴 초상화를 바쳤다.
FLAT(flat) + TER(suffix) — making his body completely FLAT on the floor, the cowardly servant attempted to flatter the angry queen.
Watching the expensive blue vase shatter, the clumsy maid tried to flatter the furious owner to escape punishment.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Old Norse 'flatr' meaning flat or level, combined with the verb suffix '-er'. The sense of 'to praise excessively' developed from the idea of smoothing or making level, metaphorically extended to smooth over someone's faults with compliments.
Breakdown
flat (smooth, level, from Old Norse flatr) + -er (verb suffix meaning 'to make or cause') = flatter (to make flat, or metaphorically to praise smoothly/excessively)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“Don't flatter yourself - you're not that irresistible to mosquitoes!”
“The politician flattered the voters with empty promises during the campaign.”
“I'm flattered you think I can eat 10 pizzas, but I'm only human!”
“The black dress really flattered her figure at the formal dinner.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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