flatter

Formsflatters, flattering, flattered

Pluralflatters

1. 1
   verbtransitive or intransitive

   To say nice things about someone, sometimes just to please them or to get a favor.

   Like saying sweet words to make someone happy with you.

   Courtiers would flatter the king to win small favors.

   She flattered the critic shamelessly, hoping for a kind review.

   Similarcompliment, sweet-talk, cajole, charm, praise

   Oppositeinsult, criticize, disparage

   Note
2. 2
   verbtransitive or intransitive

   To show or describe someone in a way that makes them look better than they really are.

   Like a mirror that makes you look better than you really do.

   These bright colors flatter your face.

   The painting flattered the queen, making her look far younger.

   Similarsuit, enhance, complement, become

   Note
3. 3
   verbtransitive or intransitive

   To praise someone so that they feel proud and pleased with themselves.

   Like feeding someone's pride with kind words until they feel important.

   His friends flatter him until his head gets big.

   She flattered the young singer to make him feel like a star.

   Similarpraise, compliment, gratify, indulge

   Oppositeinsult, belittle, deflate

4. 4
   adjective

   Comparative of flat. Use this when one thing is more flat than another.

   The road got flatter as we left the hills behind.

   This pancake came out flatter than the last one.

   Note
5. 5
   verbtransitive or intransitivereflexive

   To make yourself believe something good about yourself, even when it may not be true.

   Like telling yourself you did great, even when you are not sure it is true.

   I flatter myself that I know this town well.

   She flattered herself that she had won the argument.

   Similardelude, kid, fool, congratulate

   Note
6. 6
   verbtransitive or intransitive

   To give someone hope or encouragement, often hope that is not real.

   Like promising good news that may not happen, just to keep someone hopeful.

   Do not flatter the patient with false hope.

   The coach flattered the team with talk of an easy victory.

   Similarlure, entice, beguile, woo, court

7. 7
   nountransitive or intransitivecountable

   A person or thing that makes something flat, on purpose or by accident.

   Like a rolling pin that presses dough flat.

   The heavy roller acts as a flatter, pressing the sheets smooth.

   He was the flatter on the line, rolling each panel even.

   Similarflattener

   Note
8. 8
   nounslangBritishNew Zealandtransitive or intransitivecountable

   A person who lives in a rented flat, or apartment.

   Our new flatter moved in upstairs last week.

   The flatter next door plays music far too loud.

   Similartenant, renter

   Oppositelandlord

   Note
9. 9
   nountransitive or intransitivecountable

   A flat metal tool that blacksmiths use to smooth the surface of hot iron.

   Like a flat stamp that presses metal smooth.

   The blacksmith pressed the glowing bar with a flatter.

   He used a flatter to even out the rough metal surface.

   Note
10. 10
    nountransitive or intransitivecountable

    A hammer with a flat face, used to beat and thicken cloth.

    Like a hammer that pounds wet cloth to make it thick.

    The worker beat the wet wool with a flatter.

    A flatter pounded the cloth until it grew dense and thick.

11. 11
    nountransitive or intransitivecountable

    A metal plate with a thin rectangular hole, used to pull metal into flat strips.

    Like squeezing dough through a thin slot to make a flat noodle.

    The maker pulled the wire through a flatter to form a thin strip.

    A flatter shaped the steel into a flat band for the spring.

    Similardrawplate

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