Since I wrote the first chapter of the compliments series, I have received some requests from readers to give them some ideas and examples. So I thought it would be a good exercise to make a list of 100 compliments we can give others that will cover different areas of life.
By limiting myself to phrases that only focus on the other person and not on myself (because complimenting is giving, not taking credit and focusing on yourself), I got to 182.
When you read the list, you will find there is a formula. Phrases like “You are so…”, “You’re very…”, “You’re such a…”, “You are good with…”, “This (behavior) is inspiring…” can be attached to any good description.
You will also find that you can use adjectives by themselves, like: Brilliant! Awesome! Great! Fantastic! Amazing! Perfect! Inspiring! Beautiful!
Here’s my list of compliments. I suggest that you mark the compliments you find useful, change them to suit your needs and keep them somewhere handy. Then, refer to the examples when you need a compliment idea.
My list of sample Compliments
- Good for you! (“Good on you” in Australia)
- You smell so good! (I use this a lot, because I always pay attention to the smell of people I hug)
- You have a special way of…
- You have such (a) beautiful eyes/hair/lips/shirt/coat/smile
- It’s amazing what you have done with this place/room/website/car
- Well done!
- You’re a great hugger/player/partner/child/worker/boss/mom/dad/brother/sister
- What a great idea!
- How creative! You’re so creative!
- You look great!
- You look awesome!
- You look vibrant and healthy!
- It looks nice on you!
- You are such a great cook!
- You are so good with baking
- Your cakes are so special
- You always make such tasty desserts
- You look so young
- Your skin is glowing
- Your hair is so shiny
- You are so good at…
- Your attitude is inspiring/appealing/touching
- You have very good/useful skills
- Wow, that’s beautiful!
- You deserve it!
- You’ve worked so hard, you must be very proud of yourself!
- Great job!
- You have a great way of explaining it
- You demonstrate it so well
- It’s easy to follow your instructions
- You are a great teacher
- You are a great listener
- Brilliant!
- You have such a contagious laugh.
- You have such a happy smile
- You are such an inspiration
- You’re so talented
- You’re such a model for (behavior)
- You’re a great dancer
- It is a delight to watch you dance/sing/act
- Your choice of Facebook profile picture is wonderful
- You self-control is admirable
- Your children are so talented/beautiful/kind
- Your children are so great because of their parents
- Good morning gorgeous!
- You are a fountain of knowledge
- You are amazing/charming/awesome!
- How do you get your hair to look like that? (in admiration)
- You make it so easy to listen to you
- You are a great storyteller
- You have such valuable experience
- You had such interesting life
- You have been in so many places around the world. It is fascinating!
- You are so smart!
- You’re so approachable
- You are cool!
- You are so positive
- There is such a great feeling around you
- It’s perfect!
- You are so supportive, thanks!
- You have such an interesting name
- It’s fun to be around you.
- It is a pleasure to be your friend/son/daughter/dad/mom
- It is an honor to be your friend/son/father/mother
- You have a warm voice
- You could be a model/radio announcer/comedian
- You are as good as (someone famous)
- You’re a great kisser/lover/partner
- What a great success!
- Wow, that’s a great achievement! I’m so proud of you!
- That’s a brilliant idea!
- You’re so trustworthy
- I have heard you are very good with…
- You are a great leader!
- I have lots to learn from you!
- You can do that. You are good with things like that
- Your music collection is amazing/fantastic/great
- It is fun to hang around with you
- You have such a good taste in clothes/furniture/decorations
- Wow, you know so much on that topic!
- You are the expert on this topic
- You look great in this shirt/dress
- You’re glasses fit perfectly on your face
- Nice shirt/belt/skirt/hat
- This hat/shirt/coat you are wearing is so YOU!
- The camera loves you (to someone you are taking photos of)
- You are so photogenic
- You look better than your photo
- You are so flexible. It makes it easy to work with you
- Wow, it required lots of courage to do that. You are so brave!
- You are bubbly and happy! It is inspiring! It is contagious! It is awesome!
- You kept so clam in such stressful time. That was impressive
- It was so kind of you to…
- That was a clever solution
- You did it in such a diplomatic way
- That’s very generous of you to…
- It is fantastic!
- You are so graceful
- You are very ethical and trustworthy
- People will follow you in this quest
- You are very honest
- Wow, that was quick. Well done!
- You are very perceptive
- Your methods really work
- You are punctual, it makes it pleasure to work with you
- Your work has a superior quality
- What you did is stunning!
- You are sharp!
- You are a great problem solver
- You are very responsible
- Your resilience is remarkable
- You are wise
- You are very keen. It is a great quality!
- Your imagination is inspiring
- Your input is valuable
- You’re a great team player
- You are an asset to our company
- You are very clever
- Your idea is very clever
- What a clever way to…
- You are strong!
- You’re so funny
- You are out of this world
- You make a great difference
- Your optimism is wonderful
- You sound very confident about it. Go for it!
- You are an excellent example of…
- You’re so sweet
- You are ageless
- You are cute/you are so cute
- Your song/speech/book/story was very moving
- You are such fun
- You are very resourceful. It is a great quality
- It is so romantic
- You are very committed
- You are peaceful. It feels great to be around you
- You are usually right. Trust yourself!
- That was an elegant solution
- You have a free spirit
- You are a genius
- It’s great to have you around
- You make the world a better place just by being in it
- It’s a delight to watch you grow
- Well said!
- It’s such pleasure to meet you
- Well presented
- Unbelievable!
- Well spoken
- Terrific!
- You made it happen!
- How thoughtful of you!
- That was very considerate!
- You’ve outdone yourself!
- Keep up the good work!
- Amazing effort. You must be proud of yourself!
- How original
- You are very special!
- Phenomenal!
- You have it in you!
- Superb!
- Outstanding!
- You are very patient
- Marvelous!
- You’re a good sport!
- Excellent work! It couldn’t be better!
- Wow, you’re a great reader
- You have a great collection of books
- Great question!
- You have so many friends. It says a lot about you
- Remarkable effort
- Your experience/collection/is very impressive
- Great answer!
- That’s a great discovery!
- You are the best!
- Magnificent!
- You are super!
- Nice one!
- You’ve made a great progress!
- You rock!
- You’re an angel
- You are a life savior!
I hope this compliment list will be a good starting point for you. The more compliments you give, the more you get, and the more boost you give your self-esteem. It is a good cycle to be in, so get yourself into it by giving compliments freely.
If you have read all the way to this part of the post, well done.
You are an excellent reader and I appreciate you!
Ronit
This post is part of the series The Power of Compliments:
- Compliments: Give to Receive
- How to Accept Compliments with Grace
- How to Encourage: Ronit’s List of Compliments
