Compliments & Praise

Flattering words and expressions of approval

Introduction

The British approach to compliments is characteristically understated. Where an American might say "That's amazing!", a Brit might offer "Not bad at all" or "Rather good, actually." This restraint makes British compliments all the more meaningful when they come.

Understanding how to give and receive compliments in different English-speaking cultures is essential for social success. Australians value directness tempered with mateship; Americans appreciate enthusiasm; the Irish blend warmth with self-deprecating humor.

This chapter explores the vocabulary of praise across English varieties—from the restrained British "brilliant" to the enthusiastic American "awesome" to the warm Australian "legend." Master these and you'll make friends everywhere.

Themes

All British Slang & Idioms in This Chapter (82)

• Brilliant Excellent, wonderful (British)
• Lovely Wonderful, nice (British)
• Smashing Wonderful, excellent (British)
• Top-notch Of the highest quality
• Awesome Extremely good or impressive (American)
• Amazing Extremely good or impressive
• Legend An admirable person (British/Australian)
• Star A wonderful, helpful person (British)
• Top bloke A great guy (British/Australian)
• Good on ya Well done, good for you (Australian)
• Well done Congratulations on an achievement
• Good job Well done (American)
• Fair play Well done, respect (Irish/British)
• Fair dinkum Genuine, authentic (Australian)
• Class act Someone of high quality or great skill
• Spot on Exactly right, perfect (British)
• Bang on Exactly right (British)
• Not bad Good (British understatement)
• Not half Very much, certainly (British)
• Proper Real, genuine, very (British)
• Dead good Very good (British)
• Well fit Very attractive (British)
• Mint Excellent, perfect (British)
• Sick Excellent, amazing (slang)
• Wicked Excellent, amazing (British slang)
• Ledge Legend (shortened, British)
• Epic Amazing, impressive
• Class Excellent, high quality (British/Irish)
• Top drawer Of the highest quality (British)
• Sound Good, reliable, okay (British/Irish)
• Bless Expression of affection or sympathy (British)
• Love Term of endearment (British)
• Sweetheart Term of endearment
• Mate Friend (British/Australian)
• Pal Friend
• Buddy Friend (American)
• Champion Excellent person (British/Irish)
• Gem A wonderful person or thing
• Treasure A wonderful person
• Keep it up Continue doing well
• Proud of you Expression of pride in someone's achievement
• Nailed it Did something perfectly
• Killing it Doing extremely well
• Smashed it Did extremely well (British)
• Crushed it Did extremely well
• Props Respect, credit (American)
• Kudos Praise, credit
• Respect Expression of admiration
• Smashing Excellent, wonderful.
• Cracking Excellent, very good.
• Corking Excellent, splendid (old-fashioned).
• Spot On Exactly right, perfect.
• Bang On Exactly right, perfect.
• Top Notch Of the highest quality.
• First Rate Excellent, of the best quality.
• Ace Excellent, great.
• Mint Excellent, perfect (Northern British).
• Sound Good, reliable, cool.
• Wicked Excellent, cool.
• Sick Extremely good, amazing.
• Dead Good Really good (Northern British).
• Well Good Really good (British intensifier).
• Proper Good Really good (British intensifier).
• Stunning Extremely beautiful or impressive.
• Gorgeous Beautiful, very attractive.
• Lovely Very nice, pleasant.
• Charming Delightfully pleasant.
• Delightful Highly pleasing.
• Splendid Excellent, magnificent.
• Superb Excellent, outstanding.
• Marvellous Wonderful, extraordinary.
• Fabulous Wonderful, amazing.
• Terrific Excellent, wonderful.
• Tremendous Extremely good, impressive.
• Phenomenal Extraordinary, remarkable.
• Epic Extremely impressive (modern slang).
• Legend An amazing person (British slang).
• Diamond A great person (British slang).
• Star A great person.
• Gem A wonderful person or thing.
• Sweetheart A kind, lovely person.
• Angel A wonderful, kind person.