The 13 best phrases to reply to compliments: Revealed (2023)

The art of giving honest, thoughtful compliments not only lifts the recipient's spirits, but also makes the complimenter feel good.

And we all know how good it feels to hear a compliment at home, at work, or with friends.

But what about responding to compliments? Of course you can only control thatart of complimentif you are good at giving and receiving compliments.

Knowing how to respond to compliments can boost your confidence, charm your personality, and improve relationships, whether in a formal or informal setting.

In this article, you'll learn some elegant, romantic, and funny ways to respond to compliments.

The best phrases to reply to compliments

  1. "Thank you, it means a lot to me."
  2. "Thanks! You saved my day!"
  3. "That's very nice of you."
  4. "Thanks very much!"
  5. "I appreciate you taking the time to express that."
  6. "It's music to my ears. I'm glad you like it!"
  7. "Thank you for recognizing my work!"
  8. "Thanks for the thoughtful compliment. Thanks!"
  9. "That means a lot from you."
  10. "Very nice of you!"
  11. "Oh, what keen eyes!"
  12. "That's what they told me."
  13. "Praise accepted!"

1. "Thank you! It means a lot to me."

Gratitude is one of the first and most important feelings you want to convey when receiving a compliment.

While this is an appropriate response when you receive a compliment from a colleague or acquaintance, you should always express your gratitude to the person receiving the compliment.

With the words "Thank you! It means a lot to me,” express your gratitude in a meaningful way. The simple expression "thank you" can often seem superficial.

So adding a little more about the value of the compliment to you is an effective way of expressing your appreciation.

However, you should be aware that this compliment reply cannot be used for every compliment you receive.

As a simple guideline, remember that this is a meaningful answer and should be used in return for a meaningful compliment.

For example, if someone says to you, "Great job!" It's best to reply with a simple "Thank you!" You should say "It means a lot to me" if it really means a lot to you.

2. "Thank you! You saved my day!"

This is an especially light-hearted response to a compliment, expressing how a compliment made your day better. Although this is one of the most used compliment replies, it is sure to remain popular as it works in almost any setting.

The phrase "You saved my day!" is a casual but expressive response to a compliment.

You should use it when you don't want to sound too shallow, but also don't want to seem too touched by the compliment.

It is an appropriate response to receive compliments about the way you look or something about yourself from a co-worker, friend or family member.

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Surprisingly, receiving a compliment when you least expect it is the preferred response. For example, if a stranger comes up to you and congratulates you, just say, "Thank you! You saved my day!"

3. "That's very nice of you."

When you're in a formal setting or want to sound classy, ​​"that's really nice of you" is a short, elegant response to a compliment.

This response doesn't reveal your feelings or how the compliment affected you, but it's a smart way to respond without sounding too shallow.

If you use this to reply to a compliment, you are only returning one compliment with another. This shows that you accepted the compliment.

What's special about this answer is that you can use it when nothing else seems to work. You can think of it simply as a substitute for "thank you," but in a more elaborate and elegant way.

This is also a great answer in one of those awkward situations where you're not sure if the executor really means what they say. If you sense the other person is joking or being sarcastic, a "That's really nice of you" should be a smart response.

4. "Very grateful!"

If you want to sound unique, this is a great response to a compliment. "Very grateful" is one of the most formal responses to a compliment, meaning the same as "thank you."

Being indebted means being grateful to someone. So when you say “very grateful” to a compliment, send the message that you are very grateful.

Importantly, not everyone will immediately understand what this phrase means, especially non-native speakers.

Therefore, we recommend you use this answer when you are sure that the other person understands what you mean.

5. "I appreciate you noticing and taking the time to spell it out."

Use this response to a compliment when you really want the other person to know that you recognize and appreciate that they noticed something good about you and complimented you.

The length and verbosity of the sentence can make it seem a bit awkward, but there are certain situations where no other answer can work better than this one.

These are primarily formal and/or professional settings where you want the entrepreneur to know you value their attention and time.

For example, if a high-level employee in your office approaches you and congratulates you on a great job at a presentation, "Thank you for noticing and taking the time to express this" would be a great response. .

6. "This is music to my ears. I'm glad you like it!"

Add an idiom to your speech if you want to sound more eloquent. The expression "music to my ears" means to be very happy to hear something.

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So when you use this response to a compliment, send the message that you really enjoyed hearing it and that you're glad the person you're complimenting likes something about you.

This response can have some romantic undertones, but it can be used in a variety of situations, formal or informal.

For example, if your parents compliment you on how you drive, “This is music to my ears. I'm glad that you like the way I drive!” would be the best answer.

7. "Thank you for recognizing my work!"

Sometimes when we go the extra mile to do something, we want others to recognize and appreciate us for it.

So when someone compliments your work, you can be honest and say you appreciate the recognition.

Sounding humble and honest, this specific answer is appropriate if you're looking to build a reputation for yourself in a new place of work.

If you are an artist or writer creating music, art or other works, it is important that you take ownership of your intellectual property.

So if someone admires and praises your work, you can use this reply to make sure the credit is due.

8. "Thanks for the thoughtful compliment. Thanks!"

If you feel like someone really thought of a compliment, you should acknowledge it and tell them!

Whether it's a casual or formal relationship, a strong bond is formed when both sides make an effort.

The fact that someone thought up a nice compliment to give you and it sticks with you, you have to match that. At least acknowledge your thoughtfulness to begin with.

A great tip for responding to a thoughtful compliment is to speak your reply while making eye contact. This not only makes you appear more self-confident, but also gives you an honest and sincere aura.

9. "That means a lot from you."

Received a compliment from someone you truly admire or consider an inspiration?

Well, a great response to a compliment from this person would be to say, "That means a lot from you."

While this answer suggests that you appreciate someone who compliments you, it can also indicate if you want someone to feel good about you.

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However, you might be confused as to the best way to give this answer.

Well, as with any other compliment, respond in a confident, upbeat tone, with an intelligent smile on your face, and maintain eye contact.

10. "That's so sweet of you!"

This is one of the most casual and relaxed responses to a compliment. "Very nice of you!" It implies that the compliment made you feel good and you return the favor by praising the other person's kindness.

But unlike formal responses to a compliment, it's best not to use this response in more formal situations.

For example, if your boss congratulates you on a job well done, it's best to just say "thank you" instead of saying he's cool.

This is also a great reaction when receiving a compliment from a child or older person.

11. "Oh, what sharp eyes!"

This is one of the most informal yet fun responses to compliments. If you want to sound smart and cheesy, add this to your collection of compliment replies.

When you say, "Oh, what keen eyes!" convey the message to someone to be gently surprised by the good eye that is watching you, how you look, or what you do.

So that they don't feel bad, it's ideal to respond with a friendly smile and only to people you have a close bond with.

The phrase "observant eyes" means eyes that are good at judging the appearance or quality of something.

So when you say that in response, you're accepting the compliment while also implying that the other person has common sense.

12. "That's what they told me."

If you want to sound confident, funny and unique, go for this one. But only use it with people you are really friends with.

This answer may make you sound cocky, but it works when replying to a friend.

The answer “I was told” means I get a lot or you've heard that compliment from someone else before. This response also suggests that you are aware of why you were praised and are used to it.

This is a reserved and open way of accepting a compliment, and it can help you when you want to sound good.

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Ideally, however, you should only use it with close friends and family. Responding to another person in this way can create an uncomfortable situation.

13. "Compliment accepted!"

What do you think is the easiest way to accept a compliment? I think it's this particular answer.

"Compliment accepted" is a nice and calm way to receive a compliment without expressing too much about your feelings.

Of course, this is not suitable for use in formal or professional settings. I advise you to only save this for the most open friends and the most open moments.

That's a funny answer and the best way to give it would be to say it with a poker face. To make sure you don't sound too cocky, save this answer for the right time.

Diploma

Whenever you receive a compliment, whether it's on a date, at work, at home, or with friends, it's always a good idea to go with your gut.

But do it with the above answers in mind.

It might feel a little strange at first, but once you get the hang of it, you'll start receiving and responding to compliments like royalty.

Of course, this takes practice. They also need lots of praise to practice.

So start wearing your best clothes and do your best to get enough compliments to try out all these unique and amazing compliment replies.

The 13 best phrases to reply to compliments: Revealed (5)

Marcel Iseli

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Hello dear language friends! it's me marcelo I am the proud owner of linguaholic.com. Languages ​​have always been my passion and I studied linguistics, computational linguistics and sinology at the University of Zurich. It is my great pleasure to share with you all what I know about languages ​​and linguistics in general.

FAQs

What is the best reply when someone compliments you? ›

Here are a few ways to respond to a compliment:
  • “Thank you, it makes my day to hear that.”
  • “I really put a lot of thought into this, thank you for noticing.”
  • “Thank you, I really appreciate you taking the time to express that.”
  • “Thank you, I am happy to hear you feel that way!”
Oct 12, 2019

How do you respond to an unexpected compliment? ›

Include the word “thanks” in a short and sweet response.
  1. “Aw thank you! The people around me must be wondering why I'm smiling so big at my phone.”
  2. “Thanks! It makes me so happy you feel that way.”
  3. “Thank you, that means a lot to me.”
  4. “Aw thanks. That's really sweet.”
  5. “That's really kind of you to say! Thank you!”

How to respond to a recognition award? ›

It's sort of simple: just say, “Thank you.” If you want to get a little fancier, you could reflect back. “It was nice of you to take the time to recognize me. Thank you.” Or, “Thank you. I appreciate it.” Or “Thank you, that was thoughtful of you to say.” You could acknowledge the team effort.

How do you respond to a compliment without being rude? ›

Express your gratitude.

The person bestowing the compliment will be most receptive to a humble response. Say something like, "Thank you, that's very kind of you," or "Thank you, I appreciate the compliment."

How do you accept humbly compliments? ›

How to Receive Compliments More Gracefully
  1. Just Say "Thank You"
  2. Share What Their Compliment Means to You.
  3. Acknowledge Others without Diminishing Yourself.
  4. Stop Putting Yourself Down.
  5. Don't Feel Obligated to Reciprocate.
Sep 1, 2021

How do you accept compliments well? ›

The best approach, she says, is to keep it super simple with a "thank you" or “I appreciate it." Beyond that, there's no need to share an excuse or deflect a compliment. Doing so can impact your sense of self-worth.

How do you continue a conversation after a compliment? ›

Just take it. The compliment was never up for debate, it wasn't a question, this is someone coming to you with something that they believe to be true. Don't discredit it with false humbleness. You can just say “thank you so much, I really appreciate that”.

How do you respond to thank you in a cute way? ›

8 Responses to “Thank You” That Mean (Even) More Than “You're Welcome”
  1. “Happy to!” Delighting someone else is one of the great pleasures of being human. ...
  2. “It was my pleasure.” ...
  3. “I'm so glad you liked it!” ...
  4. “I'm so glad it was helpful!” ...
  5. “Of course!” ...
  6. “It's an honor!” ...
  7. “Any time!” ...
  8. “You're most welcome.”
Dec 10, 2022

How do you respond to a toxic compliment? ›

Here are five helpful ways to respond to backhanded compliments:
  1. Ignore it. Staying silent doesn't mean you're letting yourself get pushed around. ...
  2. Say, "Thank you." ...
  3. Acknowledge the positive portion. ...
  4. Address the insult head-on. ...
  5. Keep your sense of humor.
Jul 6, 2016

How do you say thank you after receiving recognition? ›

Use these phrases to let someone know how much you appreciate what they have done for you:
  1. I am grateful for your support.
  2. I appreciate you.
  3. I appreciate your taking the time.
  4. I value the insights and guidance you provide.
  5. I wanted to thank you as soon as possible.
  6. I truly appreciate the confidence you showed in me.
Dec 22, 2022

How do you write a thank you for recognition? ›

"Thank you for recognizing my hard work. I'm glad the project was a success and I enjoyed being part of it." "Thank you so much! I appreciate your recognition.

How do you say thank you and appreciation? ›

Personal thank you
  1. I appreciate you!
  2. You are the best.
  3. I appreciate your help so much.
  4. I'm grateful to you.
  5. I wanted to thank you for your help.
  6. I value the help you've given me.
  7. I am so thankful for you in my life.
  8. Thanks for the support.
Dec 12, 2022

How do you respond to a compliment without being awkward? ›

8 Ways to receive a compliment, without feeling awkward
  1. “Thank you.” It's straightforward, and to the point. ...
  2. “Thanks for noticing.” ...
  3. “Thank you for the kind words.” ...
  4. “That means a lot to me.” ...
  5. “I love that you care.” ...
  6. “I feel good today, too!” ...
  7. “Thanks, that's cheered me up.” ...
  8. "Thank you, that's motivated me even more."
Mar 1, 2021

What is the simplest way to accept a compliment? ›

Simply say, “Thank you.” Don't overthink it or read into anyone's comment. If someone pays you a compliment, the easiest response is just to say “thank you.” For example, if someone compliments your outfit (yet you think you look sloppy), simply say, “Thank you.”

How do you not deflect a compliment? ›

There's no need to justify your gratitude, or elaborate on what the compliment entailed—just thank your friend for paying you a compliment, and move on. If two words feels too short, you can customize your default response to something like, “thank you, I appreciate it,” or, “thank you, that means a lot.”

How do you accept compliments and criticism? ›

First, when someone says something nice about you, simply say “Thanks” in a way that is clear, grateful, and accepting. Secondly, ask people what they liked about what you did. Thirdly, find something in what they said that you can agree with.

How do you accept compliments with low self esteem? ›

Accepting the compliment affirms their judgment and your positive relationship with them.
...
Assume that the compliment is sincere.
  1. Try to give your peers the benefit of the doubt. ...
  2. Reverse your way of thinking. ...
  3. Consider who is giving the compliment if you know them.

Why do I feel awkward accepting compliments? ›

All this to say, many of us respond awkwardly to compliments as an unconscious act of self-protection. Unfortunately, this unconscious self-protection often robs us of human connection. It keeps us from letting in the kind words and gratitude of others.

Do you say thanks for the compliment? ›

Do say 'thank you'. The rule of thumb when you receive a compliment is to simply and humbly say "Thank you" or "Thank you; I appreciate your kind words." By accepting the compliment, you show gratitude for the other person's kind remarks and do not come off as vain, bashful or prideful.

Do you have to respond to compliments? ›

The same way you respond in person: with a thank you! A short note is acceptable — what you want to convey is that you've seen the praise. While not responding may seem like a good idea, especially if you're trying to avoid clogging up their inbox, you'll want to acknowledge you received the message.

How to respond to aww? ›

When texting, use these best responses to Aww to keep the chat lively.
  1. “Thank God, you didn't say Lol.” ...
  2. “Aww you, too!” ...
  3. “Awwwesome, Right? ...
  4. “I wish I could witness this 'aww' in person.” ...
  5. “You are looking so sweet, as you say so.” ...
  6. “But, this isn't as cute as you are.” ...
  7. “I'm happy to make you go 'Aww'.”
Feb 4, 2023

How do you say thank you in an attractive way? ›

The above expressions are informal ways to say thank you to someone who has helped you in difficult situation.
...
I owe you one/I owe you big time.
  1. Thanks for giving me a lift to the church. You save my life.
  2. Thanks for the advice. I owe you one.
  3. Thanks for helping me out with the assignment. I owe you big time.
Aug 13, 2018

Why do we say thank you for compliments? ›

Simply saying “Thank You” fully acknowledges the person who made the compliment and allows you to enjoy the moment as well. Example: “Your dress looks great.”

How do you respond to you're sweet? ›

You can reply to such a compliment in various ways: Thank you. Aww…that's so sweet of you. Thank you for the compliment.

What are the rules of compliment? ›

The complement rule works off of the idea that two parts make a whole. In probability, the "whole" refers to all possible outcomes. I find it's easiest to think of this as being 100%, which we know as a decimal value is simply 1. Thus, the sum of the probabilities of all possible outcomes must equal 1.

How do I respond to wow? ›

💡 Just say, “WOW.” Say it out loud right at the moment that someone says or asks something that creates that wow moment in you. This tends to work best when stated slowly and with a dead stare. 💡 One of my favorite lines is to say, “That's an interesting question/comment.

How do you respond to a flirty compliment in a text? ›

6 August 2021.
  1. “Aw thanks! That made me smile.”
  2. “Wow you just made my day.”
  3. “My friends are gonna ask me why I'm blushing right now.”
  4. If you're looking to deflect from the compliment, you can change the subject by asking questions and talking about something else. “Thanks! Do you have any fun plans this weekend?”

What does Awww mean from a guy? ›

2022/12/13. “Awww” is used in response to something cute. What does "awww" mean? If someone thinks something is adorable, sweet, or downright cute, they'll make an “awww” sound. This sound can be written out while texting to express the same.

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