Flatter
/ˈflæt.ər/noun
To praise someone excessively, often insincerely, in order to gain favor.
Did you know?The word 'flatter' is believed to derive from the Old French 'flatrer', which was originally related to the act of beating or striking, hinting at a more aggressive form of praise.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bhlā-
“to blow, to swell”
Old English
Old English
fletre
“to strike, to beat”
Old French
Old French
flatrer
“to stroke, to caress”
Middle English
Middle English
flatteren
“to smooth, to soothe, to praise excessively”
Modern English
English
flatter
“to praise in a way that is often insincere, to gain favor or advantage”