47 Best Compliments for Guys & How to Do It Subtly and Make Him Desire You

Learning how to compliment a guy will certainly get you in his good books! But there is a right way and a wrong way to go about it – know the difference! 

It’s easy to make a guy fall for you or make him feel more affectionate towards you. All you need to do is compliment him with the appropriate line at the appropriate time! Telling a guy the right compliment will quickly make his day.

No matter what type of guy he is, compliments will boost his ego and make him feel acknowledged. When you compliment him, it’ll leave a lasting impression on him, and it’ll make him want more!

So if you want to be noticed by your crush or even just make a guy’s day, compliments are the key! [Read: 30 super sexy ways to keep a guy interested in you all the time]

Why should you compliment a guy to catch his attention?

Girls are not the only people who appreciate compliments, there are plenty of guys who love compliments, too. After all, why shouldn’t guys be spoiled with encouragement and compliments?

When you say something positive, either about his appearance, his talents, or his personality, you have a better chance of making a lasting impression.

All you need to do is find the right compliments for guys and use them to win your crush’s attention. It might not be a grand gesture, but compliments go a long way in making guys feel good about themselves. [Read: 20 funny compliments you can use to flatter someone & make them laugh]

Men want to feel good and be seen too

Although guys often put on a mask of confidence, many are struggling with self-esteem. With that being said, a simple compliment about a guy’s style or ability can make his day. 

The world has normalized complimenting and criticizing women on their looks, their talents, and more, but men don’t get that as intensely on either end. 

Not to mention, men are just as insecure as women when it comes to their looks. Has anyone ever criticized your outfit or your hair and then you are hyper-aware and self-conscious about it? Men are the same.

So, when a compliment comes, it is so refreshing. But, just like women, compliments need to be authentic and genuine. [Read: The most common male insecurities most women don’t even know about]

Saying things like, “You’re handsome,” or “Nice eyes,” doesn’t have the same lasting impact as a truly meaningful compliment. You would remember a compliment about your sense of style or sense of humor over a generic compliment, wouldn’t you?

Compliments are important to men for the same reason they’re important to women, so offering them every once in a while will always be a good move. [Read: The signs of low self-esteem in a man that reveals his dark side]

How to compliment a guy without looking desperate

Many women think that giving a guy a compliment seems desperate, but that’s just not true. Just like asking a guy out isn’t desperate. Saying what you want and what you think isn’t desperate, it is confident. Simply having the guts to compliment someone is bold and sexy. 

If a guy thinks you complimenting him means anything other than what it is, that is his problem. And honestly, if a guy thinks you’re desperate for offering him a compliment, then is he really the guy you wanted him to be?

Whether you’re friends, strangers, or even dating, complimenting guys with confidence is the best way to do it. You don’t need to be flirty, charming, or even graceful if that isn’t who you are. Just be confident in your delivery and no one worth your time will think you’re desperate. [Read: The best ways to show a guy you like him and still be a real tease]

Compliments for guys and why they work

Compliments make anyone feel happy, but you might not be complimented too often if you’re a guy. By complimenting a guy, you acknowledge and praise what it is you find desirable about him.

You’re highlighting his best assets and strengths that you deeply admire. If it’s your crush or boyfriend, he’ll especially appreciate compliments coming from you! [Read: 72 sweet, cute things to say to your boyfriend & make him really happy]

Guy friends don’t usually compliment each other, and a girlfriend only compliments a guy in a flirty way, especially if he’s treating her like he has a crush on her. So if you compliment your guy friend the next time you see him, he’ll deeply appreciate it, even if he doesn’t say it out loud.

Do guys like getting compliments?

Men don’t seem to be wired to fish for praise, so they might not receive compliments often. In fact, women tend to get the better end of the stick when it comes to being praised for looks, jobs well done, and personality traits.

However, this doesn’t mean that guys don’t love to be complimented!

Compliments can be critical to a man’s self-confidence. Men need to be acknowledged and shown appreciation just as much as women. If they don’t, they risk developing some serious insecurities, even if they don’t realize it. [Read: Confident or cocky? 16 subtle signs that split an arrogant & a modest man]

Guys aren’t as prone to expressing their feelings or their need to be valued. Sometimes, that could be because they aren’t even aware that they need it. But a genuine compliment that celebrates something special about the guy can really feed his soul!

The best compliments for guys they’ll never forget

The best way to compliment a guy is to acknowledge his traits or masculine behavior. Telling a guy that he looks good will definitely make him feel good about himself, but it can make him feel awkward, too.

There are many more things you can point out that’ll make him feel even better. [Read: What to say to a guy to make him like you]

Take a look at these very special and sincere compliments for guys and use them to make any guy feel great.

1. Ask for his advice

This is one of those compliments for guys that is extremely underrated. Guys love feeling useful and helpful. By asking for his advice, you’re acknowledging that you value his opinion and that you’d love his input on something.

A line like, “I can always count on you for the best advice,” with a cute and flirty wink will make him feel six inches taller! [Read: How to flirt with a guy without really flirting]

2. His charm and speaking abilities

If your boyfriend has amazing conversation skills, feel free to compliment him on them. Let him know that he has charm for days and makes it look easy to talk to anyone.

“All of my friends love you, and they think you’re such a great guy to hang out with” is a line that’ll make him beam with pride.

3. his driving skills

Every guy thinks he’s a better driver than those guys on the F1 circuit. This is one of the compliments for guys that’s such an ego boost.

He might even improve his driving skills because of this compliment! The next time he’s driving you around town, use his skillfully smooth swerve in the car to compliment him for his top-tier driving skills.

4. His physique

Most guys spend a lot of time trying to look better for the ladies. Acknowledge this effort by complimenting their physical appearance.

Now, remember, don’t be vague! Get specific in your compliments. Verbalize your appreciation for his well-sculpted guns or his well-rounded shoulders. They no doubt took a lot of work in the gym to grow. [Read: How to make a guy horny and rock hard just by sitting next to him]

5. When other women check him out

Walking down a street with your man and noticing another girl giving him the eye?

Don’t hate him or dig your nails into his arm if other women check him out. Rather than fighting him about it, you can use it to your advantage! It just means that your guy is really attractive, and other girls envy you for this! Make a show out of how he’s all yours.

6. His bar skills

You might find this hard to believe, but not every guy knows his way around a bar. If he knows his mixology and recommends great drinks, compliment him for it! He’ll appreciate knowing that you think he has great taste! [Read: 24 girly drinks every girl has gotta know]

7. His dreams and ambitions

Some guys make big plans from a very young age. Talk about his dreams with him. If you find his castles in the sky really fascinating, compliment him about his vision. His dreams and ambitions matter to him, so it’s only natural that he’ll feel flattered when they seem important to you, too.

He’ll feel closer to you by having shared his dream with you, and he’ll like you a lot more because you appreciate his dreams. [Read: How to get a guy to open up and share a lot more with you]

8. His sense of humor

A sense of humor is one aspect that all girls tend to dig. After all, it’s very attractive to find a guy who can make you laugh. If you’re dating a guy who makes you pee your pants with his humor, make sure he knows it!

9. His ability in bed

Is your man great in bed? If he is, don’t keep it to yourself. This is one of the best compliments for guys.

It’ll not only boost his ego but also give you a chance to say what he does well in the bedroom so that he can do it more often. Win-win! [Read: How to please your man in bed – 46 sexy ways to arouse him 24/7]

10. His chivalry

Not all men are chivalrous, as unbelievable as that might be. Did he hold the door open for you? Did he step aside so you could enter the elevator first? Feel free to pay a compliment his way!

This is one of the rare compliments for guys that women tend to forget, but it’s an important one! Men are wired to be protectors and caretakers for those they love, so noticing it will mean a great deal to him! [Read: Chivalry is dead – what it means, the types of men & why chivalry matters]

11. His protective instincts

Evolution has trained the masculine to protect the feminine. If you always feel particularly safe around him because of the way he holds your hand or how he always switches sides when crossing streets with you, tell him! It’ll make him feel so good about himself and his protective skills.

12. His bond with his friends

There’s nothing quite like friendship. Even if you don’t particularly understand his friendships, compliment him on making/maintaining them anyway.

This shows that you’re trying to get along with his friends. He’ll love it, especially because he thinks his friends are a reflection of himself. [Read: Your guy’s annoying friends and how to deal with them]

13. His work

Is this guy a workaholic? Or is he kind of a slacker who always manages to find ways to complete his work on time?

This is one of the compliments for guys that’ll make him work even harder. Once you notice and acknowledge all of his hard work and drive, he’ll be eager to keep it going!

14. His strength

Ask him to open a tight jar or to help you carry a big bag up a flight of stairs. His strength is something that reflects his masculinity, so this is one of the best compliments for guys!

After all, what guy wouldn’t like a compliment about his strength? [Read: 25 of the most unmanly and manliest things a guy can ever do]

15. The way it feels when he’s inside you

Guys like to know they’re making a big impact when they enter a girl. If he’s making just the right kind of impact when he’s going in, make sure you let him know everything you feel when he’s inside you. [Read: How to talk dirty to a guy and sound really sexy]

16. His brains

Are you dating a smart guy who seems to have the perfect answer for anything? Intelligence is incredibly sexy in a man, so don’t forget to compliment him!

A smart guy would love to know that you appreciate him for his brains. [Read: Should a girl dumb it down to impress a guy?]

17. Give him a good long stare

When you’re thinking of compliments for guys, you probably wouldn’t think about non-verbal compliments. But trust us, sometimes the eyes do all the talking we need!

Staring at a guy is completely underrated, but your attention will work wonders in making him blush and feel admired! Don’t hesitate to give him a good long stare. He’ll absolutely love this! Even if it’s a silent compliment, it’s just as effective.

18. His clothes

You may be helping him pick out his wardrobe, but when he comes out to meet you looking like a gorgeous mannequin on the move, go right ahead and compliment him about it.

There’s just something attractive about a guy who knows how to dress up and look presentable. This is one of those compliments he’ll never forget! [Read: How to dress sexy – 29 subtle and classy ways to make them lust for you]

19. His principles

A man is nothing without his principles and morals. If you’re dating a guy who holds his moral principles firm and close, say something nice about it.

Tell him how much you admire his integrity and his ability to stay grounded. It’s not easy to stick to your principles, so he’ll appreciate the recognition! [Read: 20 personality traits that make the ideal guy]

20. His tastes and choices

Is your guy a refined gentleman with impeccable taste or preferences? If he has exemplary taste in movies, cologne, music, books, or even food, send a compliment his way! He’ll love to know that you appreciate his love for the finer things.

21. Compare him to a celebrity

Don’t compare your guy to the best-looking celebrity of the year, of course, because he’ll assume you’re just trying to flatter him.

However, by complimenting him through comparison to a public figure, you’ll boost his ego and make him feel good about himself! Don’t just limit this to his physical features, but use his personality and character, as well. [Read: The 41 best qualities of a good man that sets him apart from lesser men]

22. Ask for his help

If there’s anything in this list of compliments for guys that’ll make him feel good, it’s asking for his help. Guys like feeling needed and significant.

Ask him to help you with something that you know he’s good at.

If it’s something he enjoys, he can please you and have fun at the same time. It’s a win-win situation for both of you! [Read: The damsel in distress and why men find them so irresistible]

23. Boast about him

Speak highly of him in front of friends and family. Tell them all about the traits and characteristics of his that you value.

He may act like he’s embarrassed because of the flattery, but he’ll secretly love the fact that you’re speaking so highly of him.

24. His voice

Does your man have a deep baritone that gives goosebumps when he whispers in your ear? Compliment his voice, and he’ll remember it every time he says a word.

This is one of the best compliments for guys that often go unused, but letting him know that you think his voice is sexy is guaranteed to make him feel special. [Read: 33 sexy steps to seduce a man who’s not yours and hook him hard]

25. His leisure skills

Guys participate in many leisure activities to feel relaxed and rejuvenated. It doesn’t just have to be outdoor leisure, he may enjoy indoor activities, like video gaming, to wind down and de-stress. It may be a leisurely activity, but every guy takes pride in what they spend their free time doing.

He’ll love the fact that you appreciate his leisurely hobbies instead of telling him to avoid them and spend time with you. [Read: 20 things about a girl that turn a guy on]

26. His cooking skills

If he has them, his cooking skills are worth acknowledging.

Not every guy can cook, so if he always spoils you with the best meals and knows his way around a kitchen, let him know how attractive it is! He doesn’t have to be a master chef, but he does have to have impressive cooking skills!

27. His hopeless romantic nature

This is very rare for guys, so if your boyfriend is a hopeless romantic, be sure to compliment him!

Most guys find it cheesy to indulge in grand gestures, so if he does something incredibly romantic for you, tell him how much you appreciate his romantic side. [Read: Hopeless romantic – big struggles of being in love with love]

28. His generous and selfless nature

Guys are often so focused on their own lives that they forget to compromise and think of others.

If your guy always thinks of others and how his actions could affect the people around him, tell him how much you admire his selflessness and how he’s such a light when he puts the needs of others above his own. This is a compliment he’ll definitely appreciate!

29. His decision-making abilities

Men are all about logic and rationality and often make decisions in a relationship based on logic and facts. If he always manages to make logical decisions instead of irrational ones, compliment him!

This is one of the underrated compliments for guys that’ll acknowledge his decision-making abilities.

30. His partnership abilities

A relationship should be all about partnership.

Not all men can handle being your equal, so if you notice that he’s happy to be your equal in the relationship instead of trying to overpower the common decisions and goals, compliment him! It’s definitely one of the unique compliments for guys he’ll love. [Read: 15 rules to be a good partner in a relationship & wow your lover]

31. His efforts

It can become normal when a guy opens the door for you or simply clears your plate at breakfast because you’re rushing to work, but offering him a compliment for these small things shows him you notice and appreciate those things. 

Just as you don’t want to be overlooked for the everyday things you do, offer the same acknowledgment to him. [Read: How to use words of affirmation and 20 examples of how to be affirming]

32. His listening

When you’ve had a rough day and need to vent and he just nods along and strokes your hair, compliment his listening. 

Thank him for letting you vent without trying to fix anything. When he is there for you as a shoulder to cry on, a footrest, or an ear on the other end of the phone, let him know he’s a good listener, and you appreciate him just letting you vent.

33. His capabilities

Let him know he is capable. Boost his confidence. When he’s questioning if he’ll get a new job or if your parents will like him, give him a pep talk that is based on reality. 

Explain why you know these things will work out. He makes people feel comfortable around him. He is trusting and genuine and puts people at ease. Remind him of all that. [Read: How to stroke a man’s ego and bring out the alpha in him]

34. Show him that you trust him

Trust is important to everyone. Showing him you trust him is a huge compliment. 

Let him pick out something to decorate a room. Let him make the date plans. Tell him you need to let him make more plans because he always has such great ideas. [Read: 25 love-filled words to say “I appreciate you”]

35. His ability to have fun

We often compliment men on their dedication to work, which is great, but complimenting him on his carefree personality is just as important. 

Let him know how much fun you have with him. Let him know he brings out the child in you and makes you forget about your troubles.

When he turns chores into a silly game or makes waiting in line at the checkout enjoyable, let him know how much fun he is to be around. [Read: The sweetest ways to make a guy feel needed and wanted]

36. How he handles things

When you’ve been through stressful situations together, you usually just want it to calm down and move on. But, be sure to compliment him on how he handled it. Let him know he helped you relax in a stressful moment.

Tell him how he was your rock or how impressed you were with how he remained level-headed in a difficult time. Even let him know how glad you were to see him open up about his emotions instead of shutting down when things got hard. [Read: 40 secrets on how to make your boyfriend feel lucky to date you]

37. His support

Compliment his ability to support you. Whether he pats you on the back for a job well done or supports you through a hard time, compliment his ability to know what you need.

And if he doesn’t know, compliment him for asking what you need so he can get it right.

It can be hard to ask someone what they need. We tend to guess and hope we got it right because we feel we should already know. Asking takes a lot of courage. If he does, thank him for it.

38. Your bond

Compliment your connection. Let him know how happy you are with your relationship, even if that’s a friendship. Tell him that you love how close you are or that you work through disagreements calmly.

Let him know that you love how you mesh. [Read: Emotional attachment – how it works and 34 signs you’re getting attached and close]

39. His family and friends

This is a big one and is forgotten quite often. Make sure he knows you like his friends and family. Don’t assume he knows. These people are so important in his life and having the reassurance that you get along is important. 

Women can often complain about a man’s friends or family thinking it isn’t a big deal. By all means, if something is wrong you should definitely say it, but don’t forget to mention when things are going well, too. He will appreciate that effort.

40. His gentleness

Guys can be mocked for their gentleness in society, but make sure he feels proud of his sensitive side.

Let him know you love how he is with kids and animals. Let him know you love how he takes care of you when you’re sick or check in when you’re having a rough day. 

These things are strengths but many guys aren’t accustomed to hearing that. [Read: The unexpected benefits of dating sensitive men vs. macho men]

41. His maturity

Let him know you’re proud of his maturity. Compliment his ability to take a stand and be a leader. Whether it is at home, at work, or with his family, let him know you see how he handled responsibility and are impressed. Guys are often considered immature, so let him know why you see him as a mature man.

42. His integrity

If there’s one thing men love, it’s being acknowledged for their fairness, dedication, and integrity. If this guy has strong moral principles and stands by them because he’s given you his word, let him know just how much you appreciate it. 

Flakiness is something we’ve learned to accept these days, but when a guy shows strong moral integrity, that’s a big sign of a great guy. [Read: 33 traits of an amazing boyfriend that makes him the best ever]

Tips for giving compliments

To give a compliment that really resonates, it has to be authentic!

A fake compliment is a farce that can easily be seen through. And since compliments are meant to nurture and build a person’s confidence, a false compliment simply won’t do. Here are some things that you can do to make sure that your compliment is genuine.

1. Always compliment qualities you genuinely appreciate

The most important thing is to pick something that you really admire. Pretending won’t get you anywhere! [Read: How to be yourself – 26 steps to un-fake your life & love being you]

Pick something to compliment that you know is important to him, whether it’s his worth ethic or how well he listens to you when you need to vent. If you aren’t sure what matters most to him yet, pick something that matters to you.

2. Think of instances when such a quality was demonstrated by them

If you can help it, try not to be vague.

If you’re really impressed by his work ethic, think about the things he’s done that make you feel that way. Was he a whiz on a work phone call that you got to witness? Does he always try to do better and go above and beyond in the office? [Read: 34 qualities of a good person & BIG benefits of being a nice human being]

3. Be specific about the quality

Sticking with the example of worth ethic, let him know how proud you are of how he handles and speaks to clients. Tell him that his professionalism is astounding and that you’re continually blown away by his dedication!

4. Focus on the little things

Give a compliment that focuses on something that might go unnoticed.

If he’s always getting to work a few minutes earlier than everyone else so that he can make sure everything is ready for the day, mention it!

He’ll appreciate the fact that something he thought no one paid any mind to was being noticed all along. [Read: Negative effects of taking someone for granted that you can’t undo]

5. Use compliments in moderation

You can’t overdo it, or it’ll be weird.

Be sure that you’re complimenting at the right time without overdoing it. You can’t use compliments to completely replace conversations. Plus, he might get a big head!

Guys want to feel good too!

Learning how to compliment a guy shows that you care about making him feel good too. We’re far too focused on trying to compliment women, but humans are human at the end of the day!

Everyone wants to feel that they’re being admired by the person closest to them. So if you want to give the man in your life a boost of confidence, tell him how great he is.

[Read: Boyfriend material – a girl’s guide to evaluate guys and 42 things he must do]

You can use these compliments for your crush, your boyfriend, or even a cute stranger! Just make sure that your compliments are genuine and from the heart and not being given just for the sake of giving. It’ll only be believable if it’s real, and he’ll like you more for it!