accomplished – for someone who has not only accomplished many things, but has accomplished them skillfully and with flair.
admirable – worthy of admiration, someone who should be looked up to.
adorable – for someone, often a child, who is cute and inspires affection and fondness, who seems worthy of love. Originally, worthy of worship, but rarely used in that sense.
affable – for someone is friendly and a good conversationalist; easy to talk to, courteous and gracious.
agreeable – for someone whose personality is suitable and pleasing to you. If they disagree with your ideas, they will do it tactfully and pleasantly.
alluring – so attractive they are like a lure, tempting and enticing. Not a compliment to be given after a business lunch.
amiable – pleasant and likable, kind and kind-hearted, sweet and gracious; literally “friendable,” since it comes from the French and Latin words for “friend,” which comes from the word for “love.”
amusing – for someone who makes you laugh, though the word can easily sound condescending or patronizing.
beautiful – for someone who is physically attractive (usually a woman is beautiful, a man is handsome), but can also describe aspects of a person: a beautiful spirit, a beautiful mind.
bright – clever and intelligent, a quick learner. The word has a positive connotation: someone with a bright mind makes for pleasant company, which can't be said for a smarty-pants or a know-it-all.
charming – for someone with an attractive personality, as if they possess a magical charm that makes them likable.
cheerful – optimistic and happy, whose pleasant attitude is either contagious or annoying (some people don't want to be cheered up).
commendable – worthy of commendation, praise, admiration and recognition.
congenial – for someone with whom others enjoy spending time, who is sociable, affable, and fits in well.
convivial – merry and cheerful, as at a community feast, which is the meaning of the Latin combination of “together” and “live.”
cordial – warm, sincere, and affectionate. The Latin root means “of the heart.”
diplomatic – tactful and courteous, who knows how to make peace and soothe offenses, like a good diplomat or ambassador.
distinguished – celebrated for their accomplishments, who stands out above the crowd.
elegant – graceful and refined, precise and restrained in style.
eminent – for someone who stands out as remarkable and noteworthy in their field. Not to be confused with imminent.
enchanting – for someone with an attractive personality, who delights others with their charm.
engaging – interesting and appealing, who makes others want to be involved with him or her.
enthusiastic – eager, even excited; fervent and zealous. Originally a religious term among the ancient Greeks.
estimable – worthy of admiration and respect. You would get an idea of its meaning if you misspelled and mispronounced it as “esteemable.”
fun – entertaining, amusing, and enjoyable. A compliment for those who help others laugh, not a compliment for those who are laughed at.
genial – cheerful and friendly, from the Latin for “festive.” The word congenial adds the Latin prefix for “with.”
gracious – for someone who doesn't embarrass, who is always tactful, kind, and warmly courteous.
graceful – for someone who isn't embarrassed, who is elegant and natural.
handsome – good-looking: usually an attractive man, but sometimes a striking and impressive woman.
honorable – worthy of honor and respect, or who is honest and principled.
inspiring – encouraging and energizing. Not as sentimental as the word inspirational so it's more useful as a compliment.
jolly – merry and cheerful. Famously used to describe Santa Claus.
jovial – good-humored and outgoing, traditionally influenced by the planet Jupiter.
kindly – gentle and affectionate, considerate and warm-hearted. Typical of grandparents.
laudable – commendable and praiseworthy, someone who should be extolled and applauded.
likable – easy to like, personable, endearing.
masterful – skillful and proficient, a master of their craft, or sometimes a master of other people.
pleasant – agreeable, pleasing, personable. One of the most general and innocuous words in this list.
praiseworthy – commendable, admirable, meritorious.
refined – cultured, elegant, polished, not vulgar, sometimes prissy.
refreshing – invigorating, stimulating, vitalizing, pleasantly different.
remarkable – notable, amazing, extraordinary. Worth writing down.
reputable – respectable, well-regarded, with a good reputation. A reputable merchant will not cheat you, and others can confirm that fact.
skillful – proficient, adept, talented, able, practiced.
smart – clever, intelligent, shrewd, cultivated. An elegant person may be a smart dresser.
solid – reliable, substantial, dependable. Solid people can be counted on, like a solid floor.
sweet – kind, pleasant, thoughtful, not sour or bitter. A word much more common used by women.
sympathetic – compassionate, friendly, especially when you're troubled. From the Greek for “suffering together.”
thoughtful – considerate, caring, attentive, solicitous. Because a thoughtful person thinks about you, they help you.
worthy – deserving, having worth, principled, deserving, reputable.
