flattered

Flattered is the past participle and an adjective describing a person who feels pleased or honored by praise, compliments, or flattering attention. It can also describe a reaction to kindness that makes someone feel valued, recognized, or socially validated. The term is often used when a compliment aligns with a person’s self-image, leading to a sense of validation or delight.

As a verb, flatter means to praise someone, often to please them or win their favor. Flatter can be sincere or insincere; in the latter case, it is used to manipulate or curry favor. The past tense "flattered" signals that the subject received praise or was the target of praise, prompting a feeling of appreciation or vanity.

In usage, "I am flattered" expresses gratitude for praise or an invitation. The phrase can also imply humility or modesty in reacting to praise. However, repeated or excessive flattery may be viewed as insincere or manipulative, and phrases like "flattery will get you nowhere" reflect skepticism about compliments.

Etymology traces the word from the verb flatter, with roots in Old French flatterer and older influences shaping the sense of praise aimed at pleasing someone. Related forms include flattery (the noun), flattering (the present participle), and self-flattery, a tendency to praise oneself.