By Ashley Austrew
There are so many reasons why we love and value the people in our lives, but sometimes it can be hard to find the right words to describe just what it is that makes those people so special. If you’re working on the ultimate love letter, preparing a special birthday toast, or even just talking someone up to a friend, you don’t want to fall back on broad terms like funny, kind, or cute. That’s the time to say what you really mean.
Talking about the people you love might mean talking about a significant other, but it can also mean describing a friend, parent, sibling, or other special person, too. No matter who you’re trying to describe or shower with praise, here are some handy alternatives to the most overused words to use when talking about someone you love.
💕Test your skills on these wonderful words by heading over to our quiz!
Other ways to say: talented
Celebrating someone’s talent is usually a welcome compliment, but talent describes a pretty broad pool of qualities, abilities, and skills. What does that special person really excel at that makes them so, well, special? Here are a few other options to try.
accomplished
Accomplished is the word to use when someone is “highly skilled” or even “expert” at something. It demonstrates appreciation not only for their skills, but also for the time, energy, and hard work they put into acquiring those skills.
artistic
You can call someone artistic as a way of complimenting their skill and execution in art or their excellent taste and style. Someone who’s artistic likely has a unique, creative approach to many things, and this word calls that out.
capable
Have you ever been around someone who just seems to be good at everything? Those people are highly capable, which means “having power and ability; efficient; competent.”
inspirational
Sometimes a person’s gift is inspiring others around them to shine as well. Calling someone inspirational says they don’t just do great things, but they also motivate the people around them just by being who they are.
Find more inspiration with these inspirational words.
brilliant
Brilliant is the right word for someone you see as “shining brightly; sparkling; glittery; lustrous.” It might describe their distinguished abilities in one particular area or their bold and awe-inspiring approach to everything.
Other ways to say: kind
Kindness is an important quality, and a great way to acknowledge someone’s kindness is by pointing out all of the specific and meaningful ways they express it. Here are some words to do that.
affectionate
Affectionate means “showing, indicating, or characterized by affection or love; fondly tender.” Some people are more affectionate than others, so if someone’s outward displays of affection mean a lot to you, use this word to let them know it.
considerate
Considerate is the word to use for someone who is always looking out for other people’s feelings, performing small acts of kindness, or putting thoughtfulness on display on a regular basis.
big-hearted
Someone who is big-hearted is generous and kind. You might love a big-hearted person if you see that your special someone is always thinking about what they can do to show care and concern for others.
friendly
Sometimes being kind means treating everyone like a friend. Friendly people are “favorably disposed; inclined to approve, help, support.” It’s a way of explaining that your loved one isn’t just kind, but they also never hesitate to lend a hand or a shoulder to lean on.
gentle
Gentle is another way of saying “kindly” or “amiable.” Someone who could be described as gentle isn’t just nice, but is also likely a calm, compassionate, and steady figure in your life.
Other ways to say: attractive
Looks aren’t everything, but there’s nothing wrong with finding a few fresh ways to let people know they’re looking great. Rather than pulling out a bland word like attractive, here are some other options that get to the heart of what really draws you to someone.
alluring
Alluring doesn’t just mean someone is nice looking. It also means they have a charisma or charm that draws you towards them. Someone who is alluring is “very attractive or tempting; enticing; seductive.”
elegant
Whether it’s a special occasion or you admire someone’s style and grace every day, elegant is a word to use when describing someone who is “tastefully fine or luxurious in dress, style, design, etc.”
bewitching
Does someone in your life just have that special “it” factor that makes people want to be around them? They could be described as bewitching. This magical sounding word means “enchanting, charming, fascinating.”
charming
When someone is delightful or pleasing to be around, it’s usually because they’re charming. Someone might have charming good looks, but charming also extends to their sparkling personality and the way they make people feel in their presence.
lovely
Isn’t he or she lovely? This adjective means “charmingly or exquisitely beautiful.” It’s the perfect word to describe someone who is lovely in looks but also wonderful to spend time with.
Other ways to say: funny
A sense of humor is a great quality, but there are so many ways to be funny. Is the person more of a George Carlin, an Ali Wong, or a Jim Gaffigan? Here are some words to talk about the funny people in your life.
playful
If someone’s specialty is keeping things light and always finding humor in people and situations, you might describe them as playful. It literally means “full of play or fun.”
whimsical
A childlike or even off-the-wall sense of humor might be called whimsical. This word means “given to whimsy or fanciful notions; capricious.” Think: Robin Williams.
clever
Some people always know the right thing to say. You might describe them as being clever. These quick thinkers always find a way to get laughs by being both charming and bright.
hilarious
Hilarious means “arousing great merriment; extremely funny,” and it’s reserved for the people who are truly laugh-out-loud funny. These folks might be the life of the party or they might reserve their best jokes just for you. Either way, the fun never stops.
These words for a beloved pet dog will bring a smile to your face.
witty
Someone who is witty sees the world a little differently, and their sharp observations and clever comebacks can be very entertaining. They also might be funny in several mediums. Witty means “possessing wit in speech or writing; amusingly clever in perception and expression.”
Other ways to say: smart
If you value intelligence, then you’ll probably also value having more than one way to talk about it. Pull out one of these bonus words when describing the brainiacs in your life.
astute
If someone wows you with their keen perceptions and spot-on observations, you could say they’re astute. This word describes people who are shrewd, intelligent, and always the first to connect the dots.
crafty
While crafty can mean that someone is great with a sewing machine, it also means “cunning; deceitful; sly.” This doesn’t mean a crafty loved one is up to no good. It just means you want them on your team on game night.
wise
Wise describes the person you go to for advice, support, and to talk about the deep stuff. Wise means “having the power of discerning and judging properly as to what is true or right.” These people are like the lighthouses in the storms of life.
shrewd
If that special person in your life always knows how to get the best deals or how to convince people to be on their side, they might be shrewd. Shrewd means “cunning or tricky; artful,” and it’s a word for people who know how to use their deep intelligence to their advantage.
bright
No, we don’t mean the person you love is shining like a light bulb. Bright means “quick-witted or intelligent.” It’s a word that describes people who have many skills, catch on quickly, and are always capable of learning something new.
Take our quiz
Amplify your love language by revisiting these words and their definitions in our Words That Describe Someone You Love word list, where you’ll find flashcard and quiz functions to practice before penning your sweet odes. You can also go a step further by taking our short quiz based on these words.
Ashley Austrew is a freelance journalist and writer from Omaha, Nebraska. Her work has been published at Cosmopolitan, Scary Mommy, Scholastic, and other outlets. For more by Ashley, read: 10 New Dating Slang Words To Know In 2021 | 22 Motivational Words To Propel You Into 2022 | Make The “Write” Plans For The Year With 10 New Year’s Resolutions For Writers | Show Your Appreciation With 25 Other Ways To Say “Thank You”
