Dictionary entries for 'flatter'

Synonyms

flat·ter¹ (flăt́ər)

[Middle English flateren, from Old French flater, of Germanic origin.]

verb: -tered, -ter·ing, -ters.

To compliment excessively and often insincerely, especially in order to win favor.
To please or gratify the vanity of: “What really flatters a man is that you think him worth flattering” (George Bernard Shaw)
1. To portray favorably: a photograph that flatters its subject.
2. To show off becomingly or advantageously.

flat·ter² (flăt́ər)

A flat-faced swage or hammer used by blacksmiths.
A die plate for flattening metal into strips, as in the manufacture of watch springs.

flat¹ (flăt)

[Middle English, from Old Norse flatr.]

Having a horizontal surface without a slope, tilt, or curvature.
Having a smooth, even, level surface: a skirt sewed with fine flat seams.
Having a relatively broad surface in relation to thickness or depth: a flat board. See synonyms at level
Stretched out or lying at full length along the ground; prone.
Free of qualification; absolute: a flat refusal.
Fixed; unvarying: a flat rate.
Lacking interest or excitement; dull: a flat scenario.
1. Lacking in flavor: a flat stew that needs salt.
2. Having lost effervescence or sparkle: flat beer.
1. Deflated. Used of a tire.
2. Electrically discharged. Used of a storage battery.
Of or relating to a horizontal line that displays no ups or downs and signifies the absence of physiological activity: A flat electroencephalogram indicates a loss of brain function.
Commercially inactive; sluggish: flat sales for the month.
Unmodulated; monotonous: a flat voice.
Lacking variety in tint or shading; uniform: “The sky was bright but flat, the color of oyster shells” (Anne Tyler)
Not glossy; mat: flat paint.
Music
1. Being below the correct pitch.
2. Being one half step lower than the corresponding natural key: the key of B flat.
Designating the vowel a as pronounced in bad or cat.
Nautical Taut. Used of a sail.

1. Level with the ground; horizontally.
2. On or up against a flat surface; at full length.
So as to be flat.
1. Directly; completely: went flat against the rules; flat broke.
2. Exactly; precisely: arrived in six minutes flat.
Music Below the intended pitch.
Business Without interest charge.

A flat surface or part.
A stretch of level ground. Often used in the plural: salt flats.
A shallow frame or box for seeds or seedlings.
A movable section of stage scenery, usually consisting of a wooden frame and a decorated panel of wood or cloth.
A flatcar.
A deflated tire.
A shoe with a flat heel.
A large flat piece of mail.
A horse that competes in a flat race. Also called runner
Music
1. A sign (♭) used to indicate that a note is to be lowered by a half step.
2. A note that is lowered a half step.
Football The area of the field to either side of an offensive formation.