flattering

adjective

flat·​ter·​ing ˈfla-tər-iŋ 

1

: marked by flattery: such as

a

: showing or expressing gratifying respect or admiration

a flattering comparison

His colleagues might have disowned him, but they didn't receive flattering invitations to speak all over the country and to write for The New York Times.

—Richard Dawkins

b

: excessively or insincerely complimentary

… a steady stream of ham actors, all of whom were welcomed with flattering speeches.

—H. L. Mencken

2

: helping to enhance attractiveness

a necktie in a flattering color

… dictating the most flattering camera angles.

—David Margolick

The gowns were indeed smashing: smart, sexy, eye-catching, and very, very flattering.

—The New Yorker

flatteringly adverb

The so-called Generation X has been described by some—not flatteringly—as a scavenger culture that gathers music, art and fashions from recent past generations rather than creating its own.

—Steve Hochman

Her upper body is all besuited business—the black jacket, the white blouse reflecting flatteringly on the face, the understated silver choker and earrings, the burnished brown bob.

—Rebecca Mead

Examples of flattering in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In addition to the fabric’s softness, shoppers also appreciate how flattering the quarter-zip pullover and drawstring pants are. —Carly Totten, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Jan. 2025

O’Brien shares one such case: a husband watched his post-partum wife struggle to find flattering jeans before nearly crying tears of joy when the perfect pair emerged. —Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 24 Jan. 2025

As a team, though, the numbers are less flattering. —Mark Lazerus, The Athletic, 20 Jan. 2025

Soft light shines from glass orbs that hang from the ceiling, casting everything in a flattering, romantic glow. —Ann Abel, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing flattering

• self-flattering