flattered

/ˈflæt.ər/ (bre, ipa) · [flˈætɚd] /ˈflæt̬.ɚ/ (ame, ipa) · [flˈætɚd] /ˈfla-tərd/ (ame, mw)

flattered — verb

  • flatteredpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • flattereds3rd person singular
  • flattereding-ing form
  • flatterededpast simple

1. to give compliments to a person, often without really meaning them, so the perso

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to give compliments to a person, often without really meaning them, so the person feels more attractive, clever, or important than they truly are.

例句

Karim flattered the new manager all morning, hoping for a chance at the promotion.

flatter + person, with motive in following clause

The shop assistant flattered Imani about her hair to sell her an expensive shampoo.

flatter + person + about + topic, sales context

同義詞
  • compliment

    neutral or positive; no implication of insincerity

  • butter up

    informal; clearly aims to win a favour

  • sweet-talk

    informal; persuade through smooth, charming praise

反義詞
  • criticise

    say negative things rather than positive

  • insult

    say something rude or hurtful

文法句型

flatter + someone

flatter + someone + into + -ing

用法筆記

Object is almost always a person. The praise is understood as exaggerated or insincere; if the praise is genuine, use 'compliment' or 'praise' instead.

常見錯誤

❌He flattered the cake to her.
✅He praised the cake.
💡you flatter a person, not a thing.

2. to hold a higher opinion of your own ability, looks, or success than the facts r

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

to hold a higher opinion of your own ability, looks, or success than the facts really support, usually in the form 'flatter oneself'.

例句

Lara flatters herself that the boss listens to her advice on every project.

pattern: flatter oneself + that-clause

Maeve flattered herself on being the funniest person at the dinner table.

pattern: flatter oneself + on + noun phrase

同義詞
反義詞

文法句型

flatter oneself + that-clause

flatter oneself + on + noun

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is reflexive (the subject and object are the same person) and there is no other flatterer. Often used to mock or warn against vanity.

常見錯誤

❌I flatter myself good at chess.
✅I flatter myself that I am good at chess.
💡a that-clause or 'on + noun phrase' is required.

3. of numbers, results, or a record, to make a situation look stronger or more posi

3.動詞不及物C1
釋義

of numbers, results, or a record, to make a situation look stronger or more positive than it really is, hiding weaker underlying details.

例句

The April sales figures flatter; one hospital order hid weak sales in every other branch.

dated figures make results look stronger than routine trade

Ryo warned that the quarterly results flatter and the underlying trend is worrying.

numbers as subject; reality contrasted in same sentence

同義詞
  • mislead

    broader; covers any kind of false impression

  • overstate

    of figures; present as larger than they are

反義詞

文法句型

the figures / numbers / results flatter to X

用法筆記

Subject is typically figures, numbers, results, or a record — never a person. Often paired with a contrasting clause that reveals the real, weaker situation.

常見錯誤

❌Sirin flatters in her job interview.
✅Sirin's CV flatters; her recent project record is weak.
💡the subject must be data or results, not a person.

4. if a compliment, invitation, or attention from someone respected flatters a pers

4.動詞及物B2
釋義

if a compliment, invitation, or attention from someone respected flatters a person, it makes that person feel happy and honoured because it suggests they are valued or important.

例句

Ravindra was flattered by the surprise invitation to speak at the science conference.

pattern: be flattered + by + noun (invitation)

Élise felt flattered that her old teacher still remembered her after fifteen years.

pattern: flattered + that-clause

同義詞
  • honour

    stronger; passive 'be honoured' is more formal

  • touch

    emphasises emotional warmth, not status

反義詞
  • offend

    make someone feel hurt or angry instead

  • insult

    make someone feel disrespected

文法句型

be flattered by + noun

be flattered + to-infinitive

be flattered + that-clause

用法筆記

Frequently passive: 'be flattered by / to / that'. Distinguish from sense 1: here the feeling is positive and sincere on the receiver's side; sense 1 is about an insincere act by the giver.

常見錯誤

❌I am very flatter for your invitation.
✅I am very flattered by your invitation.
💡use the past participle 'flattered' as an adjective after 'be'.

5. if clothes, a colour, a hairstyle, or a kind of lighting flatters a person, it m

5.動詞及物C1
釋義

if clothes, a colour, a hairstyle, or a kind of lighting flatters a person, it makes that person look better or more attractive than they usually do.

例句

Soft warm lighting really flatters Christopher's face in the wedding photos.

subject: lighting; object: person

That deep green jacket flatters Brooke; she should wear it more often.

subject: clothing item; object: person

同義詞
  • suit

    similar; emphasises matching a person's style

  • become

    literary; 'a dress that becomes her'

反義詞
  • wash out

    of colour, make someone look pale and tired

文法句型

clothing / colour / lighting + flatters + someone

用法筆記

Subject is an object (clothing, colour, light, mirror), not a person. Object is always the person who looks better. Do not confuse with sense 1, where a person is the subject and is offering false praise.

常見錯誤

❌Karim flatters that blue suit.
✅That blue suit flatters Karim.
💡the clothing is the subject, the wearer is the object.

flattered — adjective