flattered

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'flattered' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe feeling honored or pleased when someone tells you something nice. For example: "I was flattered when he said I was the most talented dancer in the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Doubtless he would be flattered, but he would be even happier to know that a life-size statue of Frank Sidebottom now stands in Timperley.

The Guardian - Film

A victory, in truth, would have flattered the visitors, who managed only three shots on target all game.

The Guardian - Sport

They were always the superior, better-organised team, and were in no way flattered by the result.

The Guardian - Sport

Mallory may have been delicately rebuffing him when he wrote: "I myself have found that it is the young always whom I desire (I believe this to have been your experience also)." "Mallory was so gorgeous, and Strachey perhaps not to everyone's taste," Haley said, "but I should imagine Mallory was flattered by such admiration wherever it came from".

The Guardian

The end result in no way flattered England, who won the important phases of matches when it really mattered but there will be no open top buses or Trafalgar Square celebrations, or even an MBE for Simon Kerrigan, which really would send Shane Warne off the scale.

The Guardian - Sport

"I'm very flattered by that because it means I'm doing something that is … unbelievable".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

For Sainsbury's, Abbott wrote ads that artfully flattered the consumer.

The Guardian

Today they looked more like the unit who were promotion favourites in the early part of the season and they would not have been flattered by a wider margin.

The Guardian - Sport

France's performance was flattered, however, by a 0.8% jump in government spending, the largest rise since the second quarter of last year.

The Guardian - Business

Wolfsburg did little to deserve anything but a defeat but the second, last-minute goal – Arjen Robben getting hit by goal-line clearance – still flattered Jupp Heynckes's team.

The Guardian - Sport

Next, in response to a meticulous cue, a handful of blinking American Congressmen, who have been flattered or press-ganged into appearing, go on stage.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing financial results, consider using "flattered" to show how the result might be embellished or not entirely accurate.

Common error

Avoid assuming that being "flattered" always indicates genuine appreciation. Consider the possibility of ulterior motives or insincere compliments, particularly in professional contexts.

Linguistic Context

The word "flattered" functions as both a past participle of the verb 'flatter' and an adjective. It's used to describe a state of feeling pleased and honored by something. Ludwig AI confirms this usage aligns with standard English grammar. Examples show its application in both active and passive constructions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "flattered" is a versatile term functioning as both a verb (past participle) and an adjective, used to express a feeling of pleased acknowledgment of praise or attention. As noted by Ludwig AI, this word is correct and commonly used in written English. It appears most frequently in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. When using "flattered", be mindful of potential misinterpretations, particularly in professional settings where ulterior motives may be present. Consider alternatives such as "pleased" or "honored" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

felt complimented

Directly expresses the feeling of having received a compliment, akin to being flattered.

felt honored

Directly expresses the feeling of being honored, akin to being flattered, emphasizing respect and privilege.

pleased

Expresses a general feeling of happiness or satisfaction, similar to being flattered but less specific to praise.

felt pleased

Directly expresses the feeling of being pleased, similar to being flattered, indicating satisfaction.

honored

Indicates a feeling of pride and respect, often in response to a formal recognition or invitation.

gratified

Suggests a feeling of satisfaction and contentment, often due to a kindness or benefit received.

delighted

Expresses great pleasure or joy, similar to being flattered but more enthusiastic.

appreciated

Conveys a feeling of gratitude and recognition for something done or said.

taken kindly to

Suggests a positive reception to something, similar to being flattered but less intense.

warmly received

Indicates a positive and friendly acceptance, often in response to an action or offering.

FAQs

How to use "flattered" in a sentence?

You can use "flattered" to describe feeling pleased and honored by something someone said or did. For example, "I was "flattered" by their generous offer."

What can I say instead of "I'm flattered"?

You can use alternatives like "I'm honored", "I'm pleased", or "I appreciate that" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "I am flattered" or "I was flattered"?

"I am "flattered"" indicates a current feeling, while "I was "flattered"" refers to a past feeling. The correct choice depends on the time frame you're referring to.

What's the difference between "flattered" and "complimented"?

"Complimented" means to give praise, while "flattered" describes the feeling of pleasure and satisfaction received from that praise. You are complimented by someone, and you are flattered by a compliment.