To feel flattered means to feel pleased and honored when someone compliments you or shows that they think highly of you. When your teacher says your essay was the best in the class, you might feel flattered by the praise. When a friend asks for your advice on a difficult problem, you might feel flattered that they trust your judgment.

The word carries a warm glow of appreciation. Being flattered means experiencing an internal lift when someone notices something good about you. A pianist might feel flattered when asked to perform at a special event. A student might feel flattered when chosen to show a new classmate around the school.

Sometimes people use flatter as a verb meaning to give compliments, especially generous ones. You might flatter your grandmother by telling her that her cookies are the best you've ever tasted.

The word can occasionally suggest insincerity, as when someone flatters another person just to get something they want. If a younger sibling suddenly starts complimenting you right before asking to borrow your bike, you might suspect they're trying to flatter you into saying yes. But most often, feeling flattered is simply that nice sensation of being genuinely appreciated.