100+ Kind & Deep Compliments That Go Beyond Physical Appearance

The best compliments that aren't about looks for any occasion

If you’re trying to show a little extra support to someone, sharing a compliment about their personality is the best way to boost their self-esteem. While there’s nothing wrong with highlighting someone’s eyes or smile, it can cause them to tie their worth to their physical appearance. And since that’s unhealthy (and untrue), we’re providing the ultimate list of non-physical compliments for all the people in your life. From fun and lighthearted to deep and meaningful, here are the best compliments to give your friends, family members, colleagues, or partner.

Section 1 of 10:

Why are non-physical compliments important?

  1. Non-physical compliments are valuable for boosting others’ self-esteem. While there’s nothing “wrong” with complimenting someone’s appearance, highlighting their personality is much more meaningful and genuine. Non-physical compliments remind people that their looks don’t define them, despite what social media wants them to believe. This can improve their confidence and overall sense of self-worth in the long run.
    • Non-physical compliments are especially impactful to those who struggle with body image. By focusing on someone's traits, skills, and accomplishments, you let them know that they’re valued for who they are and not what they look like. [1]
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Section 2 of 10:

Kind Compliments for Anyone

  1. Trying to come up with a compliment that stands out from the crowd? Highlight the other person’s talents or skill set, and try to specify what makes them so spectacular. A personalized compliment sounds more heartfelt and genuine, and it may help the other person feel more confident about their work.
    • “Your organization skills are unmatched.”
    • “You freaking rock, dude! How did you learn to shred like that?”
    • “You have a gift for turning something ordinary into something extraordinary.”
    • “It should be a crime to be this good with numbers. You’re literally a math genius!”
    • “You are the queen of social media! All of your captions are so iconic and hilarious.”
    • “I feel like you handle stress really well. Think you could provide me with some tips?”
    • “How are you so good at table tennis? You must have been an Olympian in a past life.”
    • “Everything you bake is so delicious. You could definitely win the next season of Bake Off.”
    • “I’ve never seen anything that moved me as much as your photograph. It was just phenomenal!”
    • “I just watched your presentation, and I’m speechless. Please make a TED talk on public speaking to help the rest of us!”
    • “I could listen to your music for hours. The lyrics are so descriptive and beautiful, and the melody makes me feel like I’m floating on a cloud.”
Section 3 of 10:

Compliments for Family and Loved Ones

  1. Compliment a loved one’s personality to make them feel special . If you’re looking for a way to tell friends or family members how incredible they are, craft a compliment that moves beyond the surface! Non-physical compliments are much more meaningful than physical ones, and they prevent the other person from becoming fixated on their appearance. If you really want to go the extra mile, explain how the other person has made a positive impact in your life. [2]
    • “You’re the most genuine person I know.”
    • “I aspire to be as confident as you.”
    • “I admire and appreciate how open-minded you are.”
    • “I’m in awe of your optimism and general outlook on life.”
    • “You have the best energy. Everyone wants to be around you.”
    • “You are the definition of a true friend. You’re kind, generous, and supportive.”
    • “You are so intelligent. I would definitely choose you as my partner for trivia night.”
    • “I admire how you treat people with respect, even when you don’t agree with them.”
    • “You’re the most creative person I’ve ever met. Your ideas are going to change the industry.”
    • “I respect your independence. You’re not afraid to follow your own path and speak your mind.”
    • “The world would be a much better place if everyone had an ounce of your empathy and compassion.”
    • “You’re such a brave and strong soul. Despite all the challenges you’ve been through, you still manage to move forward with a smile on your face.”
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Section 4 of 10:

Compliments for Friends

  1. Show love to your friends by describing how they make you feel. One of the best ways to compliment someone is to highlight the impact they have in your life. Maybe you have a friend who always knows how to brighten your day, or one who encourages you to step out of your comfort zone. Whatever the case may be, express how lucky you are to call them your friend, and emphasize their love and support. [3]
    • “Being your friend is like winning the lottery.”
    • “You inspire me to take more risks in life.”
    • “I feel like I can be my true self around you.”
    • “With your support, I feel like I can conquer the world!”
    • “I love how I always learn something new when I talk to you.”
    • “You always know how to brighten my day. I’m so glad I met you.”
    • “You’re such an amazing listener. I always feel seen and heard by you.”
    • “I have so much fun when I’m with you. You make me forget about my worries.”
    • “I’ve never felt so supported by another person. Thank you for always being in my corner.”
    • “I’m always laughing when you’re around. There’s never a dull moment with you by my side.”
    • “You are the most generous and caring person I’ve ever met. I feel so grateful to call you my friend.”
Section 5 of 10:

Compliments to Give Your Children

  1. Every child craves validation from their parents, and getting praise from an adult can encourage them to pursue their dreams. To craft the perfect compliment for your child, express appreciation for their personality and behavior, especially when they do something right. This ensures they feel seen and loved for who they are—instead of what they look like. [4]
    • “I’m so proud of you!”
    • “I’m proud of the person you have become.”
    • “You are one of the most precious gifts in my life.”
    • “You make the world a better place by being in it.”
    • “We love you so much and are always here for you.”
    • “You were so amazing in the game today, sweetheart.”
    • “I’m so impressed with how you handled that situation.”
    • “Wow! You put a lot of thought into this project. It looks incredible.”
    • “You are so good at this game. I need you to teach me your tricks!”
    • “I wish I could be your age right now because I would love to have a friend like you.”
    • “You are so smart and talented. I know you can achieve anything you set your mind to!”
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Section 6 of 10:

Compliments to Give Your Parents

  1. If you want to express gratitude to your parents (or anyone else who raised you), stress how much you value their role in your life. Call, text, or visit them in person to get your message across, and don’t be afraid to get emotional. Letting them know how much they mean to you is the best way to express your love.
    • “You’re my biggest role model.”
    • “You’ve always been my hero.”
    • “I’m really proud you’re my dad.”
    • “You shaped me into the person I am today.”
    • “You guys are the best parents in the world.”
    • “I know I don’t say this enough, but I love you.”
    • “You’re not just my mom—you’re my best friend.”
    • “Thank you for everything you’ve ever done for me.”
    • “Thank you for teaching me how to be a kind person.”
    • “You always know what to say when things are going wrong.”
    • “Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have you as my parent.”
Section 7 of 10:

Compliments for Your Romantic Partner

  1. Share a romantic compliment to express love to your partner. If you want to connect with your partner on a deeper level, express the value you see in them regularly. Whether they’re kind and supportive or the most selfless person you know, don’t be afraid to be vulnerable and list out all the reasons you love them. If you feel more comfortable writing down your emotions, leave your partner a note letting them know how you feel. [5]
    • “I feel safe in your arms.”
    • “You give the best hugs and kisses.”
    • “You make me feel seen and heard.”
    • “Thanks for always being there for me.”
    • “You make me feel like I can achieve anything.”
    • “You inspire me to be the best version of myself.”
    • “Being around you makes everything feel better.”
    • “You’re the kindest and most generous person I know.”
    • “You make me feel beautiful, even when I’m not at my best.”
    • “I can always count on you to help me put things in perspective.”
    • “Thank you for showing me what it means to love someone unconditionally.”
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Section 8 of 10:

Compliments for Your Crush

  1. Call out your crush’s choices and interests to make them feel good . Everyone loves to hear they’ve got great taste, and letting someone know that the things they like are cool, interesting, and/or inspiring is the ultimate compliment. Tell your crush you admire their taste in music, movies, art, literature, fashion, or anything else that peaks their interest. It’s a subtle way to compliment their personality, especially if you’re just getting to know them.
    • “You have the best taste in music.”
    • “Nice poster! That’s a super cool artist.”
    • “I’m insanely jealous of your comic book collection.”
    • “You have this book? It’s one of my favorites! Big respect!!”
    • “That album is top-tier. I officially trust you with the aux now.”
    • “You have an amazing sense of style. I HAVE to see your closet.”
    • “Omg, is that an Eames chair? You’re living in my dream apartment.”
    • “You’re trying to find the best burger in the city? I love that! What’s been the best spot so far?”
    • “It’s incredible that you volunteer in your down time. I’d love to hear more about what you do at the shelter.”
    • “I can’t believe you like Japanese horror movies, too! We should get together and watch one next weekend.”
    • “Wow, I wish I was as eco-conscious as you. You’ve definitely inspired me to be more mindful about my waste, and I’m going to purchase reusable utensils ASAP.”
Section 9 of 10:

Professional Compliments for Colleagues

  1. Looking for a formal yet friendly way to praise your coworkers? Offer a sincere and specific compliment that acknowledges their attitude, skills, and/or contributions. By letting someone know they’re performing well at their job, you boost their confidence and strengthen your professional relationship with them. [6]
    • “You inspire me to work harder.”
    • “Thank you for always bringing good ideas to the table.”
    • “You asked super insightful questions during the meeting today.”
    • “Your calm attitude is really reassuring during this stressful time.”
    • “I was blown away by your presentation. Can you give me any tips?”
    • “It’s been a wonderful experience to collaborate with you on this project.”
    • “Having you on the team makes a huge difference. Keep up the good work!”
    • “That client was rough, but I think you did an amazing job at keeping it together.”
    • “You uplift everyone on the team, and it doesn’t go unnoticed. Thank you so much for your support!”
    • “We really appreciate your positive attitude in the workplace, even when things are stressful. Your energy is infectious!”
    • “You are always quick to show initiative for your assignments, and it has been so refreshing. You mean a lot for our team and the company as a whole.”
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Section 10 of 10:

Compliments for Give Your Boss

  1. If you want to show respect and get on your boss’s good side, praise their professional accomplishments. Get specific about what you admire about them (if possible), or give them a general compliment about their work ethic or current position. [7]
    • “I hope to be where you are in a few years.”
    • “You’re a natural-born leader.”
    • “Your ambition is admirable!”
    • “You’re my biggest inspiration in life.”
    • “All your efforts paid off in the best way.”
    • “Your hard work and determination is inspiring.”
    • “No one deserves this opportunity more than you!”
    • “I can tell how hard you’ve worked to be in your current position.”
    • “You’re an expert in this field, and it’s inspiring to watch you work.”
    • “Your attention to detail is next level. I totally see why you’re in charge of the project.”
    • “I don’t understand how you managed to pull this off, but the project was a huge success!”

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      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about relationships, check out our in-depth interview with Kim Chronister, PsyD .

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.montana.edu/oha/blog/mind_blogs/how-to-help-friend-struggling-with-body-image.html
      2. ↑ https://pcpsychology.com.au/blog/the-gift-of-a-non-appearance-related-compliment
      3. ↑ https://pcpsychology.com.au/blog/the-gift-of-a-non-appearance-related-compliment
      4. ↑ https://pcadelaware.org/news/2023/1/24/25-ways-to-compliment-kids-to-build-self-worth
      5. ↑ https://centerstone.org/our-resources/health-wellness/10-ways-to-show-your-partner-appreciation/
      6. ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-compliment-coworkers
      7. ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-compliment-coworkers

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