Words / C2

in-GRAYSH-ee-ayt/ɪnˈɡreɪʃieɪt/

To ingratiate yourself is to win favour by pleasing, often insincerely: ingratiate yourself with the board. Flatter and suck up are everyday; sycophant (already in the dictionary) is the person. Gratia is favour — related to grateful, not automatic gratitude. Do not ingratiate by hiding the n.

Meaning

To win favour by trying to please, often insincerely (ingratiate yourself with).

Examples

• “Do not ingratiate yourself with the board by hiding the missing n.”
• “Flatter is everyday. A sycophant is the noun (already in C2). Ingratiating is the adjective, usually disapproving. Courtesy with a correction is professionalism. Courtesy that buries a figure is the problem.”

Good to know

Curry favour (ingratiate yourself with). Everyday: flatter / suck up. Noun cousin: sycophant. Charm that hides the n is not diplomacy.

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