15 sweet ways to compliment someone you secretly like without being too obvious

Is there anything more joyful than meeting someone you have feelings for? Their presence makes your heart race, and just seeing them brightens your whole day. Naturally, you want to compliment the person you secretly like and let them know how you feel, without coming off as too forward. Don’t worry! There are plenty of ways to do this subtly. We've gathered tips and tricks to help you praise them without revealing your true intentions.

Focus on them. Don’t mention yourself when giving a compliment, or the person might suspect that you have feelings for them. Instead, use a second-person subject or omit pronouns entirely so that they can enjoy the compliment without guessing your true intentions. For instance, instead of saying 'I love your smile,' try 'You have a sparkling smile.' Even a small change like this can make your compliment more discreet.

• You could also compliment something they’re wearing or carrying, like 'Wow, those yellow shoes go so well with the yellow pattern on your shirt.'

This will make your compliment sound more genuine. The more sincere your compliment, the less likely the person will suspect you're just flattering or hitting on them. Steer clear of vague or generic compliments like 'That shirt is amazing' or 'I like your dress.' Instead, find something specific you like about them or give a reason why you admire something about them.

• For instance, you might say, 'You're so smart for choosing that undercut hairstyle' instead of just 'I like your hair.'
• You could also say, 'Last night, your idea to go karaoke and order those cute dumplings was fantastic' instead of simply saying 'Last night was so fun.'

Highlight their character traits. Mention a specific quality in their personality that you truly admire. Focus your compliment on that so they don’t realize you're secretly smitten with them.

• Try saying, 'You’re such an outstanding leader' or 'Your dedication spreads to those around you.'
• You could also say, 'There’s something really amazing about you.'
• 'Your happiness is so contagious! Everyone smiles when they’re around you,' or 'You’re truly a people person. You can connect with anyone.'

Let them know you love their sense of humor. The laugh of the person you secretly admire likely brightens your world, and you can compliment them on it without revealing your crush. Simply tell them that you like their laugh. They'll enjoy hearing that, and it might make them feel more at ease around you — a win for both of you!

• Don’t overthink it. Just say something like 'You have such a great laugh' or 'Your laughter is so contagious.'

This is a simple way to compliment them without making them feel uncomfortable. Eyes are one of the easiest features to compliment — who doesn’t love being told they have beautiful eyes? There are many ways to describe and compliment their eyes, so choose a phrase that will make them smile without giving away your true feelings.

• Try saying 'Your eyes are so bright and sparkling' or be a little more specific with 'You have such beautiful brown eyes.'
• There are plenty of adjectives to describe someone's eyes: deep, expressive, kind, sharp, or gentle. Get creative!

Acknowledge their effort. It takes effort to maintain and style hair, so complimenting someone's hair won't come across as accidental or obvious. Tell the person you admire that they have beautiful hair or that you like their hairstyle. If they've recently changed their hairstyle or got a fresh cut, compliment how great it looks!

• You could say 'You always know how to style your hair' or simply 'Your hair looks amazing!'
• You can also say 'Are you trying something new with your hair? It looks fantastic' or 'Did you just get a haircut? It looks great!'

Mention how they've helped you grow as a person, or how you've seen their own growth. If they've inspired you to be a better person, you can acknowledge their influence on you. Be sincere and genuine; they will appreciate the compliment and won't think you're flirting with them. If they are working hard to achieve success and improve themselves, praise their efforts. They will be grateful for your recognition.

• For example, you could say, 'You’ve inspired me to work harder and stay focused on my goals' or 'You’re truly an inspiration.'
• You could also say, 'It’s amazing to see your progress. Nothing can stop you once you set your mind to something.'

Let them know how much you trust and feel safe with them. Tell them how much you admire and respect them. Focus on their honesty and reliability so they won’t suspect you have romantic feelings for them. They will simply think you're admiring them, and they'll feel proud, while you keep your feelings private.

• Say something like, 'You always try to do the right thing. It's truly admirable' or 'You’re one of the most reliable people I know.'
• You can also simply say, 'I trust you no matter what you do' or 'You’ve never let me down.'

Make them feel like a superhero. You can compliment their work ethic and passion. Tell them that their dedication inspires you, and that you believe they can accomplish anything once they set their mind to it.

• Try saying 'You are so passionate and ambitious' or 'It’s admirable how much you put your heart into what you want.'
• You could also say 'Once you decide on something, nothing can stop you' or even a rhetorical question like 'Is there anything you can’t do?'

Recognize their accomplishments. You don’t need to focus on their appearance or personality. Talk about something they excel at or how much effort they’ve put in to accomplish something well. They’ll appreciate that you’ve noticed their hard work.

• Try saying 'You did great in today’s match! That jump shot was amazing!' or 'You really stood out in the competition. You’re awesome!'

Exaggerated flattery or excessive praise can make your compliment seem insincere. If you go overboard, the person you secretly like might realize you have feelings for them. Try to stick to specific and realistic compliments so that your words come across as genuine and don't make them think you’re trying to impress them or flirt.

• Choose a compliment like 'Your movie recommendation was spot on. It was great' instead of 'That movie was amazing. I’ve never seen anything so good.'
• You could also say 'You had a great idea to add the numbers to the report. Very quick thinking' rather than 'You have an incredible intuition. That’s a brilliant idea!'

Using self-deprecating remarks can shift the attention from the other person to yourself. Focus entirely on them, and avoid making self-deprecating comments to cover up your feelings. Such remarks may backfire, making you seem disheartened or prompting them to offer comforting words. Focus your compliments on them without bringing up yourself.

• For example, if you say “You have a great sense of style,” don’t add “Unlike me, I always look awful.”
• If you say “You’re incredibly smart and always excel in your studies,” don’t add phrases like “Not like me, I always get average grades on tests.”

• Regardless of how you choose to compliment the person you secretly admire, ensure your words are genuine. They will easily detect if you're trying to impress them or flatter them insincerely, and you’ll be caught!