1 [VN] to say nice things about sb, often in a way that is not sincere, because you want them to do sth for you or you want to please them:
Are you trying to flatter me?
2 ~ yourself to choose to believe sth good about yourself and your abilities, especially when other people do not share this opinion:
[VN] 'How will you manage without me?' 'Don't flatter yourself.' [also VN(that)]
3 [VN] to make sb seem more attractive or better then they really are:
That colour doesn't flatter many people. * The scoreline flattered England (= they did not deserve to get such a high score).
flatterer noun
IDIOMS
be / feel flattered to be pleased because sb has made you feel important or special:
He was flattered by her attention. * I felt flattered at being asked to give a lecture. * She was flattered to hear that he had been asking about her. * I suppose we should be flattered that he agreed to come at all.
flatter to deceive (BrE) if sth flatters to deceive, it appears to be better, more successful, etc. than it really is:
As with many new bands, their early success flattered to deceive.
