Flattered

Part of speech: adjective, verb

Definitions

1. To have received compliments or praise that boost one's self-esteem | To feel pleased or honored by someone's admiration or positive attention | To be made to feel good about oneself through kind words or gestures from others
2. To experience pleasure or satisfaction due to receiving admiration or praise from others | To feel honored and appreciated as a result of compliments directed toward oneself | To be emotionally uplifted by kind remarks or recognition from others
3. To have experienced a sense of pleasure from receiving admiration or positive remarks from others | To feel a sense of gratification and warmth from expressions of praise or esteem from those around | To be positively affected by kind words or compliments that enhance one's self-image and mood

Etymology: The root of this word lies in the verb "flatter," which emerged in English during the late Middle Ages, around the 15th century. It originally carried the sense of smoothing or making someone feel good through praise, often with a hint of insincerity. This sense ties back to the Old French "flater," which meant to soothe or to coax, and possibly to the Old Norse "flatra," meaning to flutter or flap, suggesting a kind of delicate, gentle movement akin to the soft, pleasing words used in flattery. Over time, the term developed a more nuanced meaning, shifting from mere soothing or coaxing to the act of offering excessive or insincere praise to gain favor. This semantic evolution reflects a human tendency to recognize when compliments might be genuine or self-serving, and thus the word came to carry a subtle implication of manipulation or exaggeration. Yet, in everyday use, it also took on a positive shade, describing the pleasant sensation of being admired or praised, regardless of the speaker’s motives. The adjective form, describing the state of having been praised or pleased by such words, naturally followed. To be "flattered" means to feel honored or gratified by someone's compliments. This usage can be traced back to the 17th century, when the past participle began to express the emotional effect on the recipient rather than the act of praising itself. Interestingly, the word connects metaphorically to the idea of "flattering" the ego, much like a gentle breeze might smooth the surface of water. This imagery captures the essence of the term’s origin in soothing and gentle persuasion. Over centuries, it has maintained a balance between its slightly suspicious undertones and its straightforward meaning of receiving praise, reflecting the complex social dance of human interaction.

Synonyms: complimented, praised, admired, honored, adulated

Antonyms: disparaged, criticized, insulted, belittled, demeaned