120+ Nice Compliments That You Can Use Right Now

Download Article

Unique & positive compliments that are about more than just appearance

Co-authored by Imad Jbara and Aimee Payne, MFA

Last Updated: February 17, 2025 Fact Checked

Download Article

• About the Whole Person
|
• Personality
|
• Accomplishments & Smarts
|
• About Appearance
|
• For Girls
|
• For Guys
|
• For Friends
|
• For Family
|
• For Coworkers
|
• Text Compliments
|
• Expert Advice
|
• Compliment Generator

|Show more |Show less

Want to give someone in your life a compliment but aren’t sure what to say? If the answer is “yes,” this article is for you! We’ve spoken with relationship experts to put together their top recommendations for what to say when you want to compliment someone. Even better, we’ve listed over 120 examples to help you find just the right words to tell someone how much you appreciate them. Plus, we’ll give you pointers on how to go about paying a compliment so that it strikes just the right tone.

The Best Compliments For Others

1. “I always feel seen and heard by you.”
2. “Hearing your laugh always makes me happy.”
3. “You bring out the best in other people.”
4. “I always feel like I can be my true self around you.”
5. “You’re my biggest role model.”

Steps

Section 1 of 11:

Good Compliments About Who Someone Is As a Person

Download Article

1. 
   Pay compliments that talk about what they have control over. Compliments are a great way to build long-lasting relationships and help make others feel more confident about themselves. Focusing on things they control about themselves, like kindness and generosity, shows you appreciate who they are. Use one of the compliments listed below to praise anyone in your life.

   • “I love how passionate you are!”
   • “Thank you for helping me carry my things to the door. I wish more people were as helpful as you.”
   • “You have a gift for turning something ordinary into something extraordinary.”
   • “I always feel seen and heard by you.”
   • “I respect how you handled yourself in that conversation.”
   • “I’m always laughing when you’re around. There’s never a dull moment with you by my side.”
   • “I’m so proud of you! That took a lot of courage.”
   • “You have the best taste in music.”
   • “You have such an awesome collection of clothes. You always look so put-together.”
   • “Your calm attitude is really reassuring during this stressful time.”
   • “It must have been hard to be patient in that situation, and I'm really impressed with how you handled it.”
   • “You bring out the best in other people.”
   • “You are an incredible human.”
   • “Your kindness shows in everything you do.”
   • “You make the world more interesting.”
Advertisement

Section 2 of 11:

Good Compliments About Traits

Download Article

1. 
   Focus on their character to make your compliments more meaningful. Dating coach Imad Jbara says that complimenting a person on their character traits is more personal and special than focusing on superficial compliments. By focusing on someone’s character, you show that you noticed something about them that goes deeper than surface level. Check out the list of compliments below to get some ideas for what to say.

   • “I’m amazed by your optimism and positive outlook on life.”
   • “You are so intelligent. I love having you on my trivia night team. I know we’ll win.”
   • “You’re the most genuine person I know.”
   • “I love how independent you are. You’re never afraid to do your own thing and speak your mind.”
   • “You’re a great listener, you know that?”
   • “I appreciate how you treat people with respect, even when you don’t agree with them.”
   • “I aspire to be as confident as you.”
   • “The world would be a much better place if more people had your empathy and compassion.”
   • “You’ve got a good vibe. Being around you makes me feel calm.”
   • “You have the best energy. Everyone wants to be around you.”
   • “I appreciate how open-minded you are about everything. It makes you easy to talk to.”
   • “I love how comforting you are. You always know what to say to make me feel better.”

Section 3 of 11:

Good Compliments About Accomplishments & Intelligence

Download Article

1. 
   Tell them how much you admire what they’ve achieved. Jbara says that people tend to overlook it when a person does something really good. By noticing their achievements and saying something about them, you and your compliments will stand out. Use one of these compliments to praise someone’s actions or accomplishments.

   • “You're a great example to others.”
   • “I am so proud of you and hope you’re proud of you, too!”
   • “I’m so impressed that you won that award. Competition was fierce.”
   • “You’re a great leader. You really bring out the best in people.”
   • “I’m so impressed with how you handled that situation.”
   • “You are making a difference.”
   • “Wow! You put a lot of thought into this project. It looks incredible.”
   • “You deserve all the credit you're getting.”
Advertisement

Section 4 of 11:

Good Compliments About Appearance

Download Article

1. 
   Pay appearance compliments about their taste and sense of style. It’s nice to hear you’re beautiful or handsome, but it’s not a very deep or meaningful compliment. Instead of complimenting someone’s general appearance, say something that’s more personal. Dating coach John Keegan recommends talking about their sense of style. Use one of the compliments below to tell them they look great in a memorable way.

   • “Your hair looks like a mermaid's! It's so beautiful.”
   • “I love your perfume. It smells amazing.”
   • “You’re so photogenic! I’ve never seen a bad photo of you."
   • “You are perfect just the way you are.”
   • “You’ve really been glowing lately. It’s like there’s a candle under your skin.”
   • “Everyone's jealous of me because I get to be with you.”
   • “How is it that you can make any outfit work for you?”
   • “Has anyone ever told you that you have great posture?”
   • “That color is perfect on you. It makes your eyes pop.”
   • “You look like you belong on the cover of a magazine! Every detail of your look is flawless. No notes.”

Section 5 of 11:

Good Compliments for Girls

Download Article

1. 
   Focus on compliments that speak to what she values about herself. If she’s someone you know well, you probably know what she likes about herself. However, Jbara cautions against focusing too much on looks. As he goes on to say, “everyone likes getting complimented on their looks. But when you compliment somebody on their looks consistently, and they usually get those compliments, it's not really that special anymore.” Try something like the compliments below.

   • “Hearing your laugh always makes me happy.”
   • “I know I don’t say this enough, but I really appreciate your understanding and patience.”
   • “The way the color of that dress really brings out your eyes. It’s really striking.”
   • “You make me feel seen, heard, and supported. Thank you for always listening to me.”
   • “You give the best hugs and kisses. They make me feel so loved.”
   • “Your sense of style is always on point. That outfit is amazing.”
   • “You make me feel like I can achieve anything.”
   • “I love it when you smile. It fills me with joy."
   • “You move so gracefully.”
   • “You are the most generous and caring person I’ve ever met. I feel so grateful to call you mine.”
   • “The world would be a better place if everyone had 1/1000th of the positivity you have.”
   • “Thank you for showing me what it means to love someone unconditionally.”
Advertisement

Section 6 of 11:

Good Compliments for Guys

Download Article

1. 
   Boost his ego with compliments that express your admiration. Jbara says that the best way to compliment a guy is to show your admiration for him to make him feel masculine. Talking about traits like his strength, courage, and assertiveness can help build him up and make him feel good. Use one of these compliments to tell him how much you appreciate and admire him.

   • “I feel safe in your arms.”
   • “With your support, I feel like I can conquer the world!”
   • “You are so smart and talented. I know you can achieve anything you set your mind to!”
   • “Is your haircut new? It’s so stylish. It really suits you.”
   • “You inspire me to be the best version of myself.”
   • “I have so much fun when I’m with you. I always forget about my troubles when we’re together.”
   • “You’re the kindest and most generous person I know.”
   • “I can tell you’ve been hitting the gym, handsome. You look crazy strong.”
   • “I love how you’re always down for anything.”
   • “Being around you makes everything feel better.”
   • “You’re so funny. You always have the best sarcastic comments.”
   • “You make me feel beautiful, even when I’m not at my best.”
   • “You always plan the most memorable and thoughtful dates.”

Section 7 of 11:

Good Compliments for Friends

Download Article

1. 
   Give them compliments that tell them they’re important to you. Say something nice or tell your friends everything you love about them. Jbara suggests to “compliment them on how smart they are [and] how intelligent they are…[and] them being spontaneous [and] adventurous.” Try one of the following compliments to show your bestie that your life is better because they’re in it.

   • “I really admire how thoughtful and caring you are. It inspires me to be a better person.”
   • “Your positivity encourages me.”
   • “You have such a great sense of humor. Your captions always make me laugh.”
   • “I always have a great time when I hang out with you. You’re so funny and playful.”
   • “You handle stress so well. Think you could provide me with some tips?”
   • “I feel so grateful to be your friend. Thanks for always listening to me and knowing exactly what to say.”
   • “Hanging out with you reminds me that I’m lucky enough to win the friend lottery.”
   • “You have the best sense of style! I’m so in awe every time we meet up.”
   • “Your boldness inspires me to take more risks in life.”
   • “You are the definition of a true friend. You’re kind, generous, and supportive.”
   • “I appreciate you picking me up from the airport at 3 am. You’re the definition of a true ride or die!”
   • “I always feel like I can be my true self around you.”
   • “I really value your opinion. You always help me make the best decision.”
   • “Your friendship means the world to me. You make my life so much better.”
   • “You never disappoint me. I love that I can count on you no matter what.”
Advertisement

Section 8 of 11:

Good Compliments for Family

Download Article

1. 
   Make a loved one feel special with compliments about their personality. One way to tell members of your family how amazing they are is to zero in on who they are below the surface. For example, if everyone tells your cousin they’re a great cook, compliment them on how they go the extra mile to pick ingredients everyone likes. Here are a few suggestions for compliments that are sure to make them smile.

   • “I love you so much and am always here for you.”
   • “I appreciate how you’re always in my corner. Thank you so much for supporting me.”
   • “You’re my biggest role model.”
   • “You always know what to say when things are going wrong.”
   • “I admire how much you care about other people.”
   • “You shaped me into the person I am today.”
   • “Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have you in my life.”
   • “I love how I always learn something new when I talk to you.”
   • “You’ve always been my hero.”
   • “You are one of the most precious gifts in my life.”
   • “I can always count on you to help me put things in perspective.”
   • “You make the world a better place by being in it.”

Section 9 of 11:

Good Compliments for Coworkers

Download Article

1. 
   Point out their skills or talents to compliment a coworker. As licensed clinical psychologist Kim Chronister says, “in order to make a compliment stand out and be more unique, highlight something you’ve recently learned about their skill set.” Try one of the following compliments that focus on their skills, talents, and achievements to tell them how much you admire their work.

   • “Your organization skills are unmatched.”
   • “I can tell you work really hard on your projects.”
   • “It should be a crime to be this good with numbers. You’re literally a stats genius!”
   • “You really killed it with that presentation earlier! I hope I can command a boardroom like that someday.”
   • “I just watched your presentation, and I’m bowled over. You should do a TED talk on public speaking!”
   • “You’re the most creative person I’ve ever met. Your ideas are going to turn this company around.”
   • “I really appreciate you taking the time to look over my presentation at the last minute. Your feedback is always so valuable.”
   • “You always know how to brighten my day. I’m so glad I work with a ray of sunshine like you.”
   • “You are so good at finding all the typos. I need you to teach me your tricks!”
   • “Thank you so much for staying late and helping me fix the copier. I appreciate how helpful you always are around the office.
   • “You inspire me to work harder.”
   • “You asked insightful questions during the meeting today.”
Advertisement

Section 10 of 11:

Good Compliments to Send Over Texts

Download Article

1. 
   Add emojis to your text compliments to keep the tone positive. Up to 55% of communication between people is nonverbal. So, when you’re texting, it’s easy to misunderstand a message’s tone. Add a little personality back into your texted compliments by using emojis. Use the list below to help you send a good compliment over text that won’t be misunderstood.

   • “You always know how to have fun.🤪”
   • “You’re one smart cookie.🤓🍪”
   • “You're like sunshine on a rainy day.☔️🌞”
   • “Is that your picture next to ‘charming’ in the dictionary?🤔📖😉”
   • “Hanging out with you is always a good time.🥳💃🕺🍾”
   • “You have such a good way with words. 🤓🤩”
   • “The world is better because you're in it.🌎💝”
   • “There's just something about you that shines.🌟”
   • “You're truly a gem—there's nobody like you.💎💎💎”
   • “Your smile is contagious.😁😷”
   • “You are exactly my kind of weird.🤪🥸”
   • “You're the fiercest person I know.🐯”

Section 11 of 11:

Expert Advice on Paying Compliments

Download Article

1. 
   1
   Always give honest compliments from the heart. Dating coach Louie Felix affirms that “honesty is always the best policy….I think it becomes disingenuous when you say it [a compliment] to try to impress someone. So make sure that everything that you're talking about is what you really think, what you really feel, what you really believe in.”

   • Before giving a compliment, step back and take a moment to think about what you really admire about the other person.
   • Don’t be tempted to give a compliment you don’t believe. For example, if your friend got a really unfortunate haircut, you don’t have to tell them you love it.
   • Instead, ask them how they feel about it. Say something like, “The more important question is how do you feel about it?”
2. 
   2
   Start compliments with “I” statements. An “I” statement is a compliment that starts with “I,” like “I value…” or “I appreciate…”. By starting a compliment this way, you give the impression it makes you vulnerable. It also makes your compliment seem more sincere.

   • Dating coach Laura Bilotta recommends bringing your best authentic self forward whenever you give a compliment.
   • If you’re being sincere and speaking authentically, your compliment is sure to be appreciated.
   • One way to seem more genuine is to make good eye contact and smile when you pay a compliment.
3. 
   3
   Give compliments that are positive, specific, and personal. Give a compliment that really dials in on something you appreciate about someone. Or, mention exactly what they did that you liked. For example, instead of saying, “You’re a great friend,” try something like, “I appreciate that you supported me after my grandmother passed. I really needed a friend.”

   • Keegan recommends focusing on traits like being a good listener, which is a great compliment to give. It talks about something not everyone is good at.
   • Make sure your compliments are phrased in a positive way.
   • Instead of saying, “The way you took care of me while I was sick wasn’t too bad,” say something like, “I really appreciate how you brought me hot soup and cough medicine when I had a cold.”
Advertisement

Compliment Generator

1. Craft the perfect compliment for any situation

   Want to say something kind, sweet, or encouraging—but not sure how? Just tell us a bit about who you're complimenting and what for, and we’ll generate a thoughtful compliment you can copy and paste (or customize).

   • Who are you complimenting? * Choose one or write your own A friend A romantic partner A coworker or classmate Someone I just met Other (write your own)

     What’s the compliment about? * Choose one or write your own Their personality Something they did well Their appearance or style Their kindness or character Other (write your own)

     What kind of tone do you want? Choose one or write your own Sweet and sincere Flirty and fun Professional and polite Playful or unique Other (write your own)

     See ad to

     Write My Compliment

     Response failed. Please try again.

     Retry

     Try the full generator here.

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Advertisement

Tips

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!