feeling flattered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feeling flattered" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are feeling pleased and honored by something someone has said or done. For example: "When my boss complimented my work, I couldn't help feeling flattered."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

By step 3 I'm not feeling "excited" and I'm not feeling "flattered" as Dan later tells his readers I will be - I'm feeling harassed.

The Guardian

Though, there is an element of feeling flattered that someone is interested you.

Forbes

The options here are either doing nothing and feeling flattered that somebody would care about your mediocre cat video, get in touch with the other creator and have a nice chat about what happened or ask YouTube to remove the offending video (which is probably what most people will opt for).

TechCrunch

Instead of feeling flattered, I was confused.

Huffington Post

You may find yourself feeling flattered that your friend is attracted to you, and become curious.

WikiHow

Even Microsoft's Joe Belfiore touched on the matter, tweeting, "Feeling flattered today.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Roosevelt raised to an art form the ability to allow any visitor to leave his office feeling warmed, flattered, assured of satisfaction; only to discover later that the President's intentions were quite different from those that they supposed.

Independent

Feel flattered.

Huffington Post

"This way, when you're walking, it's going to touch parts of your legs, and look flattering, without you feeling all trussed up ready for Thanksgiving".

The New York Times

Racing professionals and committed fans have enjoyed bumping into him during a World Cup and there is a feeling that we are flattered by the attentions of a man who could so easily be doing a pundit's job in Brazil.

The Guardian - Sport

From his side, Berenson threatened to resign in angry letters that he dictated to Nicky Mariano: Lord Duveen has always flattered him into feeling that for him, Lord Duveen, and for his clients, there was only one authority, his, B.B.'s.... [He] does not choose to climb down at the end of his career from that height..

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In professional settings, follow the phrase with a brief acknowledgement of the other person's kindness to remain humble.

Common error

Avoid using "feeling flattered" when receiving a formal award or promotion in a corporate setting; in these cases, use "feeling honored" to avoid sounding as though you view professional success merely as personal ego-stroking.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feeling flattered" typically functions as a participial phrase that can act as a subject complement following a linking verb (e.g., "I am...") or as an adverbial modifier describing a person's state of mind during an action. According to Ludwig AI, it is a standard and correct construction in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "feeling flattered" is a grammatically correct and versatile expression used to describe a sense of pleasure or pride resulting from attention or praise. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage across reputable media outlets such as The New York Times and The Guardian. While it is highly effective for conveying personal gratitude and boosted morale, writers should be mindful of the context; it carries a slightly more informal and personal tone compared to more formal alternatives like "feeling honored". Overall, it is a reliable choice for describing the human response to being recognized or sought after.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feeling honored

adds a layer of deep respect or prestige to the feeling

feeling touched

emphasizes an emotional or sentimental connection to the gesture

feeling pleased

a more general and slightly less intense expression of satisfaction

feeling appreciated

shifts the focus from the ego to the recognition of one's value or effort

taking it as a compliment

describes the cognitive interpretation of an action rather than just the emotion

basking in praise

suggests a more prolonged and visible enjoyment of the attention

feeling validated

implies that the praise has confirmed one's self-worth or ideas

feeling humbled

often used as a polite paradox where the person feels unworthy of the high praise

being chuffed

an informal British equivalent expressing great pride or pleasure

feeling smug

adds a negative connotation of excessive self-satisfaction

FAQs

How do I use "feeling flattered" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe an emotional state, such as: "I couldn't help "feeling flattered" when they asked for my expert opinion."

What can I say instead of "feeling flattered"?

Depending on the level of emotion, you might use alternatives like "feeling honored", "feeling touched" or "feeling appreciated".

Is "feeling flattered" always a positive thing?

While usually positive, in some contexts it can imply that the praise is insincere or that the person is being manipulated, though the phrase itself describes the subject's pleasant reaction.

What is the difference between "feeling flattered" and "feeling honored"?

The phrase "feeling flattered" is more personal and ego-centered, whereas "feeling honored" suggests a higher level of dignity, respect and communal recognition.