Home › Words › F › flatteringflattering/ˈflætəɹɪŋ/flattering means attractive or good-looking; that makes one look good.flattering is pronounced /ˈflætəɹɪŋ/.EtymologyFrom Middle English flatering, flatrung (gerund), equivalent to flatter + -ing.adjAttractive or good-looking; that makes one look good.e.g.“The dress really did not look very flattering on her figure.”Gratifying to one's self-esteem; complimentary.That which represents too favorably.nounThe action of the verb to flatter.Instances of flattery.Definitions & examples from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).Words closest in meaningBy meaning, not spelling — each word's AI semantic fingerprint, nearest first.flatteringly 75% match — In a flattering manner. vs flattering →flattersome 70% match — Marked by flattery; characteristically flattering vs flattering →flatterous 70% match — flattering vs flattering →sightly 63% match — Attractive, pleasing to the eye; affording gratification to the sense of sight; aesthetically pleasing. vs flattering →unflattering 62% match — Not flattering. vs flattering →beautifying 61% match — The act of beautifying. vs flattering →unbecoming 61% match — Not flattering, attractive or appropriate. vs flattering →beaut 60% match — Something or someone that is physically attractive. vs flattering →