4 VERB If you flatten someone, you make them fall over by hitting them violently. □ [V n] She flattened him with a single punch; she knocked him out cold.
flat|ter /flæ tə r / (flatters , flattering , flattered )
1 VERB If someone flatters you, they praise you in an exaggerated way that is not sincere, because they want to please you or to persuade you to do something. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V n] I knew she was just flattering me. □ [V n + into ] …a story of how the president flattered and feted him into taking his side.
2 VERB If you flatter yourself that something good is the case, you believe that it is true, although others may disagree. If someone says to you ' you're flattering yourself ' or ' don't flatter yourself ', they mean that they disagree with your good opinion of yourself. □ [V pron-refl that] I flatter myself that this campaign will put an end to the war. □ [V pron-refl] You flatter yourself. Why would we go to such ludicrous lengths?
3 VERB If something flatters you, it makes you appear more attractive. □ [V n] Orange and khaki flatter those with golden skin tones. □ [V ] My philosophy of fashion is that I like to make clothes that flatter.
4 → see also flat , flattered , flattering
flat|tered /flæ tə r d/ ADJ [v-link ADJ , ADJ that/to-inf] If you are flattered by something that has happened, you are pleased about it because it makes you feel important or special. □ [+ by ] She was flattered by Roberto's long letter. □ I am flattered that they should be so supportive.
flat|ter|ing /flæ tər I ŋ/
1 ADJ If something is flattering , it makes you appear more attractive. □ Some styles are so flattering that they instantly become classics. □ It wasn't a very flattering photograph.
2 ADJ If someone's remarks are flattering , they praise you and say nice things about you. □ There were pleasant and flattering obituaries about him.
flat|tery /flæ təri/ N‑UNCOUNT Flattery consists of flattering words or behaviour. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ He is ambitious and susceptible to flattery.
flatu|lence /flæ tʃʊləns/ N‑UNCOUNT Flatulence is too much gas in a person's intestines, which causes an uncomfortable feeling.
flat|ware /flæ tweə r / N‑UNCOUNT You can refer to the knives, forks, and spoons that you eat your food with as flatware . [AM ] in BRIT, use cutlery
^flat ^white (flat whites ) N‑COUNT A flat white is a cup of strong coffee with hot milk poured on top, similar to a latte but smaller and less milky.
flaunt /flɔː nt/ (flaunts , flaunting , flaunted )
1 VERB If you say that someone flaunts their possessions, abilities, or qualities, you mean that they display them in a very obvious way, especially in order to try to obtain other people's admiration. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V n] They drove around in Rolls-Royces, openly flaunting their wealth.
2 VERB If you say that someone is flaunting themselves , you disapprove of them because they are behaving in a very confident way, or in a way that is intended to attract sexual attention. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V pron-refl] …tourists flaunting themselves in front of the castle guards in bra and shorts.
flau|tist /flɔː t I st/ (flautists ) N‑COUNT A flautist is someone who plays the flute. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, usually use flutist
fla|vour ◆◇◇ /fle I və r / (flavours , flavouring , flavoured ) in AM, use flavor 1 N‑VAR The flavour of a food or drink is its taste. □ This cheese has a crumbly texture with a strong flavour. □ I always add some paprika for extra flavour.
2 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] If something is orange flavour or beef flavour , it is made to taste of orange or beef. □ …salt and vinegar flavour crisps. □ …now available in three new flavours.
3 VERB If you flavour food or drink, you add something to it to give it a particular taste. □ [V n + with ] Flavour your favourite dishes with exotic herbs and spices. □ [V n] Lime preserved in salt is a north African speciality which is used to flavour chicken dishes.
4 N‑SING [oft a N of n] If something gives you a flavour of a subject, situation, or event, it gives you a general idea of what it is like. □ The book gives you a flavour of what alternative therapy is about.
fla|voured /fle I və r d/ in AM, use flavored ADJ If a food is flavoured , various ingredients have been added to it so that it has a distinctive flavour. □ [+ with ] …meat flavoured with herbs. □ Many of these recipes are highly flavoured.
-flavoured /-fle I və r d/ in AM, use -flavored COMB [usu ADJ n] -flavoured is used after nouns such as strawberry and chocolate to indicate that a food or drink is flavoured with strawberry or chocolate. □ …strawberry-flavoured sweets. □ …fruit-flavored sparkling water.
fla|vour|ing /fle I vər I ŋ/ (flavourings ) in AM, use flavoring N‑VAR Flavourings are substances that are added to food or drink to give it a particular taste. □ Our range of herbal teas contain no preservatives, colourings or artificial flavourings. □ …lemon flavoring.
fla|vour|less /fle I və r ləs/ in AM, use flavorless ADJ Flavourless food is uninteresting because it does not taste strongly of anything.
fla|vour|some /fle I və r səm/ in AM, use flavorsome ADJ Flavoursome food has a strong, pleasant taste and is good to eat. [APPROVAL ]