French Conversation · Level 93
60 words
French word
flatter
Pronunciation
IPA/flate/
Meaning
- verbbutter up
Example
Il me flatte toujours.
He always butters me up.
More examples
Elle aime flatter les gens pour obtenir des faveurs.
She likes to flatter people to get favors.
Core concept
A layer of pleasing words placed on someone to win a favorable response, whether the praise is sincere or not.
Common phrases
flatter quelqu'un
flatter someone
se flatter
flatter oneself
flatter son ego
stroke one's ego
Similar words
complimenter: To give someone brief praise for a good quality.
charmer: To win someone's liking through charming words or actions.
Definition in French
Employer des paroles flatteuses pour séduire ou obtenir une faveur, avec souvent une nuance d'insincérité.
Word origin
French flatter comes from Old French flater, originally meaning to stroke or caress, and developed a figurative sense of pleasing someone with words.
Usage tips
- Flatter takes a direct object in French, as in flatter quelqu'un, while se flatter de means to take pride in or claim something.
Other meanings
- praiseverb
Opposites
- dénigrerdisparageverb
- déprécierbelittleverb
Related words
- flatterieflatterynoun
- flatteurflatterernoun
- flattéflatteredadjective