31 Powerful One-Word Compliments

If you’re struggling to come up with the best compliment words to use with the people in your life, we’re glad you’re here. 

Compliments should mean something—to both of you.

If you’ve been overusing a compliment because you can’t think of anything new that says what you feel, we’ve got a whole list of one-word compliments for you to try. 

We bet you’ll find some new favorites that describe your special person to a T.

31 Of The Best One-Word Compliments 

The best one-word compliments are those that say what you want to say in a way that reaches the heart of the one you’re complimenting.

It’s not always easy to find the right words for a particular person. See if you can find some worth trying in the list below.  

Attentive — Generous with their attention; considerate when listening; fully present; mindful; intent; diligent; earnest; committed; all ears.

Authentic / Genuine — Not putting up a false front or pretending to be something they’re not; honest; true to themselves; unalloyed; original.

Beautiful / Stunning / Lovely — Pleasing to the senses or the mind; exceptionally attractive or pretty; impressive; mind-blowing; radiant.

Bold / Brave / Courageous — Unapologetically themselves; acting despite fear; confident; not afraid to take risks; daring; confident.

Breathtaking / Awe-Inspiring — So awesome and amazing, they take your breath away; astonishing; thrillingly beautiful.

Brilliant / Intelligent / Genius — Well above average in the smarts department; gifted; whip-smart; witty; masterly; profound; adept; first-rate.

Calm / Peaceful / Unshakeable —  Not easily ruffled or upset; grounded; serene; relaxed or easygoing; untroubled; even-tempered; coolheaded.

Captivating — Arresting your attention; stimulating to the imagination; more than capable of attracting and holding your interest.

Creative — Driven to create things or imagine innovative solutions; inventive; resourceful; ingenious; original; clever.

Energizing / Restorative — Filling you with renewed energy and motivation; inspiring; invigorating; refreshing; renewing.

Funny or Hilarious — Making you laugh (often) with apparently minimal effort; having a natural aptitude for humor; having a keen sense of comedic timing.

Generous / Self-Giving — Quick to give without expecting repayment; giving in a spirit of kindness and fellow-feeling; ready to share their resources with those who need them.

Graceful / Poised  — Refined or elegant in movement or bearing; sophisticated; dignified. 

Handsome / Gorgeous / Striking — Extremely good-looking; jaw-dropping.

Honorable — worthy of honor, admiration, and respect; setting the standard for proper behavior. 

Hot / Sexy / Sensuous —  Sexually attractive; exciting; desirable; alluring; sultry; seductive; the kind of attractive that does things to you whenever you see them.

Humble / Nonegotistical  — Having healthy self-esteem, neither insecure nor arrogant; having a healthy distrust of the ego and its demands.

Incredible / Phenomenal — Amazing beyond belief; unprecedented or without equal; defying beliefs and expectations.

Interesting / Intriguing / Fascinating — Effortlessly capturing your attention and interest; claiming your undivided attention.

Irresistible  — Impossible to resist or to do without; someone who is your weakness—the part of your life you never want to lose or to give up. 

Kind / Compassionate — Showing thoughtfulness, concern, and solicitude toward others; being there and going above and beyond for you or someone else.

Knowledgeable / Erudite  — Educated and driven to continue learning; studious; hungry for knowledge.

Lovable / Adorable — Charming and easy to love or fall in love with; endearing; the kind of attractiveness that makes you smile and feel warm when you think of them.

Mischievous / Playful — Having a mischievous streak; fun-loving and adventurous; uninhibited (or less inhibited than most).

Nonjudgmental  — Slow to judge others or to make assumptions; broad-minded and forgiving; wise. 

Perceptive / Intuitive — Having a strong sense about people and situations; insightful; tending to follow their gut/instincts.

Persuasive / Compelling — Having a way with words; convincing; able to win people over; influential; reasonable; logically sound. 

Remarkable / Extraordinary  — Notably or conspicuously unusual or rare; standing out in a positive way. 

Resilient / Strong / Unsinkable — Impossible to keep down (for long); enduring; persevering; undeterrable.

Unforgettable / Memorable  — Impossible to forget or to push far from your mind; ever-present in your memory or imagination (or both).

Unique / Special / Irreplaceable — Impossible to replace or replicate; one of a kind; set apart from everyone else. 

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Conclusion

Now that you’ve looked through our list of one-word compliments, which ones stood out for you? And who comes to mind?