Word · Frequency #21847
unflattering
有损形象的；不恭维的
making someone or something appear less attractive or favorable than is true
常指照片、描述等让人显得不好看，也指直言不讳的批评。
- 1.
Not flattering.
不奉承的；不讨好的。
不奉承的；不讨好的。；不奉承的；不恭维的；指出缺点的；耿直的
In use
The photo was unflattering, so she asked the photographer to retake it.
He gave an unflattering description of the restaurant's service.
The report included some unflattering details about the company's finances.
be unflattering to sb
表示光线、角度、衣服等使某人显得比平时难看或有损形象。
The harsh lighting was unflattering to the singer.
刺眼的灯光让这位歌手显得不好看。
find sth unflattering
动词find后接宾语和形容词补足语，表示主观看法。
I find the mirror in this dressing room unflattering.
我觉得这间更衣室的镜子照出来不好看。
unflattering + noun
用作定语时，常修饰photo、portrait、comment、description等名词，多用于负面评价。
The magazine printed an unflattering picture of the politician.
那本杂志刊登了一张有损这位政客形象的照片。
Common mistakes
This photo is unflattering her.This photo is unflattering to her.
unflattering 是形容词，不是动词，不能像现在分词一样接宾语。汉语“这张照片不恭维她/让她显得难看”容易直译成动词结构，英语要用 be unflattering to somebody 表示“使某人显得不好看”。
This haircut is unflattering for you.This haircut is unflattering to you.
形容词 unflattering 后接介词 to 引出受影响的对象；for 表示目的或受益者，这里受汉语“对”的影响误用了 for。
Connections
Collocations
- unflattering portrait
- 有损形象的描绘
- The article painted an unflattering portrait of the CEO.这篇文章对首席执行官的形象描绘得很不讨喜。
- unflattering light
- 不利的角度
- The documentary showed the company in an unflattering light.这部纪录片以有损形象的方式展现了这家公司。
- unflattering angle
- 不美观的角度
- He refused to be photographed from that unflattering angle.他拒绝从那个不美观的角度拍照。
- unflattering comments
- 不客气的评论
- She made some unflattering comments about his cooking.她对他的厨艺作了一些不客气的评论。
- unflattering nickname
- 不雅的绰号
- The bully gave him an unflattering nickname.那个恶霸给他起了个不雅的绰号。
Learner notes
Memory Tip
记法：un-表否定，flatter是奉承，合起来即不奉承/有损形象——就像一张把你拍丑的照片。
Context & Register
语域：neutral 常见场景：照片或肖像、评论或描述 通常用于描述照片、画像或评论等使人显得不好看或形象受损，属于中性表达，不带有强烈感情色彩，也不限于正式或非正式场合。
Pronunciation & Spelling
押韵词：flattering, battering, clattering, shattering（重读元音 /æ/ 及之后读音相同）。注意：flattery /ˈflætəri/ 虽与 unflattering 词根相近，但结尾是 /ri/ 而非 /rɪŋ/；uncomfortable 虽也以 un- 开头，但重音和结尾都与 unflattering 不同。
Dictionary facts from ECDICT, WIKTIONARY.