| 释义 |
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2024flat•ter1 /ˈflætɚ/USA pronunciation v. - to praise or compliment insincerely or excessively: [~ + object]He always flatters her by constantly praising her looks.
- to please or gratify by compliments or attentions:[~ + object* usually: be + ~-ed]I was flattered by the invitation.
- to represent or show favorably, esp. too favorably:[~ + object]The portrait flatters her.
- to feel satisfaction with (oneself ), sometimes mistakenly:[~ + oneself + that clause]He flattered himself that the speech had gone well.
flat•ter•ing, adj. WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2024flat•ter1 (flat′ər),USA pronunciation v.t. - to try to please by complimentary remarks or attention.
- to praise or compliment insincerely, effusively, or excessively:She flatters him by constantly praising his books.
- to represent favorably;
gratify by falsification:The portrait flatters her. - to show to advantage:a hairstyle that flatters the face.
- to play upon the vanity or susceptibilities of;
cajole, wheedle, or beguile:They flattered him into contributing heavily to the foundation. - to please or gratify by compliments or attentions:I was flattered by their invitation.
- to feel satisfaction with (oneself ), esp. with reference to an accomplishment, act, or occasion:He flattered himself that the dinner had gone well.
- to beguile with hope;
encourage prematurely, falsely, etc.
v.i. - to use flattery.
- Frankish *flat- flat1)
- 1175–1225; Middle English flat(t)eren to float, flutter, fawn upon, Old English floterian to float, flutter; for sense development, compare flicker1, Old Norse flathra; reinforced by Old French flatter to flatter, literally, to stroke, caress (probably
- a person or thing that makes something flat.
- a flat-faced blacksmith's tool, laid on a forging and struck with a hammer to smooth the surface of the forging.
- a drawplate with a flat orifice for drawing flat metal strips, as for watch springs.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers:: flatter /ˈflætə/ vb - to praise insincerely, esp in order to win favour or reward
- to show to advantage: that dress flatters her
- (transitive) to make to appear more attractive, etc, than in reality
- to play upon or gratify the vanity of (a person)
- (transitive) to beguile with hope; encourage, esp falsely
- (transitive) to congratulate or deceive (oneself): I flatter myself that I am the best
Etymology: 13th Century: probably from Old French flater to lick, fawn upon, of Frankish originˈflatterable adj ˈflatterer n |