Good question. For a group of people often so quick to claim to be the less complicated gender, man-speak can be pretty confusing. Once you start to develop a soft spot for a guy, even common compliments can feel loaded coming from him.
I can still picture my crush that year telling me something along the lines of “you are amazing,” which you’d think I’d be used to, considering I got that a lot. But coming from someone I adored and wanted so much, I relished the compliment and secretly hoped that it meant more.
Turns out it did. He was head over heels in love with me, too (sweet, I know!), but it could have just as easily meant something else. Looking back, something about how he said it, with his body language, may have reinforced my suspicions that he might have a thing for me back. However, body language signs can have more than one meaning as well.
Is he nice, does he like you, or is he looking for an easy lay? I have here more than a few possible reasons a guy might tell you that you are amazing, besides a penchant for stating the obvious, of course.
Table of Contents
Before going on to the numerous possibilities of what your guy might be thinking, consider the fact that it means exactly what it sounds like. Unless his body language implied that he might have an ulterior motive, in which case it would help if you draw in on his exact reaction.
And while you are at it, make sure you know him well enough not to misinterpret a body language sign like maintaining eye contact for more than it actually means.
One thing it could mean when a guy says you are amazing is that he is trying to make a good impression on you, and likely for platonic reasons. Compliments are known to do that, after all. We usually kindly remember people who appear to see us in a good light.
He may have known you or been seeing you around in a while but is trying to come closer now and get to know you. What better to break the ice with than a good, old ego stroke?
On the flip side, he may have chosen the ambiguous amazing on purpose because you are already in the friend zone. Perhaps you and he got close on platonic terms, or for some other reason, he no longer sees you as someone he needs to be superficial with.
This would be more likely when it makes sense for him to go with more specific compliments like hot, pretty, or beautiful, and he chooses amazing. It suggests he’s not trying to impress you anymore; he either means it or was in a bind for something nice to say.
Different guys have their preferred MO for picking up girls. Some men go for the more common method of buttering you up with words they think might sway you, and some do most of the talking with their body (body language). Others prefer not to make the fact that they are just looking for sex conspicuous at all.
Either one of the guys above can say something like, you are amazing, even if the how and when varies. For example, the body language guy might flirt with his eyes the entire time, then come over to you and say it once a semblance of green light has been given.
Whereas, the lowkey guy can hold a whole conversation about why you are amazing without mentioning sex even once when the fact is that they are both leading to it.
If someone you have a ‘sort of relationship’ with, like a guy you just started seeing or an FWB, says you are amazing, it could mean he’s beginning to like you more. Usually, most guys try to be specific in situations where catching feelings first could mean you messed up.
So, if knowing that, he opts for vague stuff whenever he pays you compliments, it could be one of the initial signs he’s starting to like you that way.
Naturally, barring any hindering reasons, like him already having a girlfriend (not that it always stops them), when guys start catching feelings, they want more. So, dropping you are amazing and could be leading to a conversation about that.
The ‘more’ men ask for in this context can be anything from your time to sex to effort to even your affection. Or whatever you think he might not be getting enough of in your situation.
On a similar note, when a guy says you are amazing, he could be complimenting your ability to get him there. This is why the timing, the body language, and the how matter just as much as the words he says, if not more so.
This particular meaning would be more plausible if it came after a rather profound orgasm or when something related to your sex life is being discussed. The body language signs are usually not so far off the theme either, so if it comes when he’s turned on or just recently sated (by you), you can guess exactly what he means.
If he’s the type that uses awesome or amazing to express basically every feeling, you are obviously not going to get anywhere going by that single word alone. Some guys take pride in their ability to remain ambiguous, you can’t accurately understand them when they talk without paying some attention to their body language too.
Men like this will likely drive you nuts if you’re the type who prefers to have someone state their intentions clearly and verbally.
Meanwhile, limited vocab can be due to a number of different reasons, which will most likely point to shyness. Either he is a shy person or just gets that way around you. The latter can be the usual pretty girl effect – like how guys tend to lose their composure, if only briefly when a beautiful lady walks in.
Or, you know, it could be the way the guy is with people in general. Maybe he’s some compliment-wielding reserved guy who minds his business and throws kind words your way when spoken to.
Another specific thing it could mean when a guy says you are amazing is that he is attracted to you. In which case, getting shy around you is only one noticeable sign of several. If there is even a remote possibility that this might be the situation, you may also notice other body language signs to that effect.
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More importantly, the way he gets around you would differ, if only slightly, from how he is with other girls and people in general.
Interestingly, a man saying you are amazing doesn’t always indicate something special. It could just be a force of habit, something he says when someone does something nice for him or promises to. Hell, it can even be a replacement for swearing if he tends to do it a lot.
Some people try to pick a positive word to get used to in place of the NSFW ones that society might frown upon if used openly.
Hearing that someone else sees us in a positive light may not seem like much in jolly times, but random kind words can gear your brain into thinking right again when needed. If a guy says you are amazing when you are clearly down, he might be trying to give you something to smile about.
And you don’t necessarily have to be sad for it to mean this. This can come in the form of a pep talk, kudos, or random text from any man, from your best friend to your boss.
A man might also say something like that if they have high hopes in even little kindnesses. If self-loathing and deprecating words have become the order of the day for you, he may figure it doesn’t cost him a thing to make you feel good.
This would come from a guy who knows you well enough to realize when you’re not your best self. Usually, someone close enough to you to not make it weird, like a friend, a partner, or another loved one.
I get my guards up whenever I get a random compliment from my younger siblings because nine out of ten times, it means they want something. Also, I’ve known them long enough to know they don’t usually express their love for me that way.
I try to apply the same analogy whenever I find myself wondering what it could mean when a guy says something. If it’s out of the blue and unlike him, it’s only a matter of time before he comes out with what he really wants. The same could be said of a stranger, especially one who doesn’t know you well enough to deduce whether or not you are amazing correctly.
Speaking of, when a stranger who’s not just being courteous resorts to flattery with you, the question goes from what is he trying to do to what does he stand to gain? Nothing is only ever as it seems, even someone’s choice of compliments.
If a man coyly avoids the more direct and specific compliments and sticks to the likes of ‘awesome’ and ‘amazing,’ he may be playing the long game. Knowing you might shut him down if he goes straight to the point, he might take the indirect route of making you feel comfortable with him first.
Contrary to what stereotypes will have you believe, men get emotional too. They may do a better job of hiding it, but the numbers suggest they are even more likely to feel things than women.
Like the guy who says you are amazing after a rather enjoyable round of lovemaking, another might say it out of a similar feeling – one motivated by emotions other than post-nut bliss. This may either be good news or bad, depending on what you want out of your relationship with said fellow.
Then again, amazing can be where guys go to hide when trying to keep other words down. When a guy likes you, he naturally wants to tell you all about it, sweep you off your feet, make you his girlfriend, and perhaps live happily ever after.
Unfortunately, a lot of real-life factors can get in the way of that fairy tale. So, while he tries to figure things out, he may settle for compliments like this one instead of something that conveys how he really feels, so no one gets ahead of themselves.
Another thing it could mean when a guy compliments you this way is that he looks up to you. Perhaps as a mentor, role model, or something about you just commands his respect.
He may have specifically gone for that word to communicate that he isn’t trying to flatter or hit on you. Just a pure appreciation for whatever it is about you he finds so remarkable. You can read this meaning into such a compliment from a co-worker, a friend, or even someone you have a personal relationship with, like a partner.
Gratitude is another possibility worth exploring as long as you’re trying to figure out what it could mean when a guy uses the big A for you. Not everyone shows their appreciation using only traditionally designated phrases like “thank you.”
Some opt for compliments (often without thinking) because it feels more natural that way. E.g., you are amazing, you are the best, etc. While being conscious of their body language is always an added advantage, it doesn’t take a specialist to piece this one together if you recently did him a favor or promised to.
It also helps narrow it down if he interacts with you the same as other people except in that particular moment.
Truth be told, this may be a bit of a stretch because there are more than a million ways to propose, even within the same tradition. Also, there are no written rules that it has to go somewhat like, “Jane Janet Jones, you are the most amazing woman a guy could ask for…”
However, since we are discussing possible meanings, I figure we shouldn’t only stick to the more common ones. If you are in a serious relationship and your man is considering making it more official, he might revamp his compliments while simultaneously showing signs he might pop the question soon.
Ever had one of those priceless moments when a guy you’re seeing looks at you like he won the lottery? These usually come up when they are just falling in love. Or if he’s the romantic type, random instants when something you do or say reminds him why he fell for you in the first place.
If he gets that look in his eyes, then verbalizes just how amazing you are afterward, chances are whatever he’s thinking about has to do with how lucky he is to have you.
Sadly, the amazing three words can also indicate the calm before the storm, the kiss of death, so to speak. If he puts it somewhat like, “You are amazing, Jane, but…” I wouldn’t read that as much of a compliment.
It’s a lot like the infamous breakup line, “It’s not you, it’s me.” In most cases, we know it is, in fact, you. He is probably just saying it to make the sting of whatever comes after that line more bearable.
Still, not all compliments followed by a “but” signify the end of an era, even though they are almost always a harbinger of serious, often uncomfortable conversations. If a guy who has been all broody lately asks to talk and begins by listing all your positive attributes, a breakup is only one possible meaning.
It could very well lead up to all the reasons why you should consider something that’s been bugging him. A statement like “Look, I think you are amazing, and I love what we have here, but…” could be leading to anything from the dreaded “what are we” talk to something along the lines of “slow down, girl.”
We adopt sarcasm in conversations for various reasons, such as the witty angle, but a lot can get lost in translation, especially when not done in person. This is because a considerable part of detecting someone’s connotations comes from reading their tone and body language signs like facial expressions.
If you have all of that to go by, and the current situation gives you the impression he means the opposite of a compliment, he’s probably being sarcastic. Case in point: you’re in the middle of an argument or being rude to him, and he incredulously says, “wow, you are amazing.”
On a similar but slightly different note, a guy saying you are amazing can also mean he is mad at you. Like the previous point, his body language, as well as what leads up to the moment when he utters the words should also give him away.
Again, some people (as mentioned above) make a conscious effort to put only positive things out, even when feeling emotions as negative as anger. If you are not familiar with how he usually behaves when angry, such a response might take you aback a little.
If you still have your doubts despite his tone and/or body language, pay attention to how he behaves when he gets mad at other people.
What most of us who have lost someone (one way or another) would give to tell them they are amazing, for no particular reason. Life doesn’t always offer do-overs. Sometimes, opportunities really only come around just once.
Say a guy who’s made the mistake of taking you for granted in the past hits you with an out-of-the-blue variant of being amazing. His body language and what comes before/after might be able to tell you more about his state of mind, but it doesn’t take a genius to deduce he’s been thinking about your time together.
Perhaps he’s been feeling guilty or has just seen firsthand that the grass is only as green as you water it on either side.
It’s funny how many (even contradictory) things a single word can mean when a guy says it to a girl. One man could say the same ‘you are amazing’ to multiple women, and each would carry distinct meanings from the other. Again, apart from his history with each woman, his tone and his body language both play a part.
Where one girl might hear a “you are great, just not for me,” the same guy might be telling another lady, “we actually work, and for that, I think you are amazing.” with the exact same sentence.
If you somehow manage to retain your aura of mystery in relationships, you may have heard something similar from a boyfriend – past or present. Going by the literal meaning of the word, coupled with the fact that an average guy loves a good thrill, it makes sense.
This is likely to be the case if you’re in a budding relationship with the person that’s got you wondering what it might mean when a guy says something. You’re still getting to know each other, and in those early stages, even the most basic of information can sound, well, amazing.
This one is similar to the guy who reaches out and calls you amazing because he realizes the void you left in his life, the only difference being the element of guilt. Think of your most amicable breakup ever, or the closest thing you have to it.
The ex who did no wrong other than the fact that you two just weren’t compatible at the time. What does it mean when a guy like that says you are amazing? It depends on the context, but even without body language cues to go by, I can tell you that missing you is one of the top possibilities.
Some of the other things I’ve seen it mean when a guy implies that you are amazing have to do with them enjoying your company. You see, sex is only one of the many pleasurable outcomes of good chemistry, not the sole result.
If he sees himself having a ball with you continuously without getting bored, that might warrant the compliment even without sex necessarily being on the table.
Another answer to what it might mean when a guy tells you something like this is that he appreciates you being in his life. Which shouldn’t be at all shocking, considering a lot more people are embracing the “smell the roses” ideology by the day.
I’d tell you to watch out for signs of a significant life experience like a near-miss, but given the surge of uncertainties in today’s climes, I doubt folks wait for those anymore. I know I don’t.
Sometimes the issue we have with understanding what it may mean when a guy does something is that we want specific meanings. You want to analyze every sign, statement, and body language signal to understand what he wants from you.
Whereas hard as this may be to believe, even men are capable of doing things just because. Yes, what it could mean when a guy says something like that is vast, but sometimes the driving force is simply that he cares about you and wants you to know.
For those who believe in the concept of “the one,” we can technically pass some of the positive meanings on this list as signs he thinks you are it. But then, that would be a wild guess, at best, taken out of context.
For this to even be remotely true, your real-life interactions with him have to be consistent with these signs. Not some assumption that he wants to spend the rest of his life with you just based on a few body language cues implying he’s into you.
Sometimes, the answer you seek is right in front of you. Again, not every man has the time or faculty to make some elaborate thing out of simple statements. It’s not the healthiest of reasons, but like those who say I love you to their partner in hopes of hearing it back, he may be fishing for compliments.
Does it mean when a guy does this, he has issues or just doesn’t get enough of them? You may need to do more than read his body language to figure that out.
Something else it can mean when a guy tells you this, especially if your rapport with him is still relatively new, is that you’re different than he’s used to. This isn’t so different from him saying it because he finds you intriguing, although it could easily mean the opposite if he expresses negative body language while saying it.
Obsession can also make a guy tell you you’re amazing, although I get the feeling if that is it, it wouldn’t be hard to notice. The very fixation the condition causes means that even if you usually don’t notice signs, the sheer repetition of not just the compliments but everything else leaves little room for doubt.
These signs could be anything from an overwhelming attraction to extreme jealousy, as well as visible indicators of low self-esteem.
Some men can craft heaven and earth for you out of words, and there are those who can’t sweet talk to save their lives. We can’t all be good at everything.
If the guy who has you scampering for possible meanings is verbally broke, decoding his body language may be your best bet of getting anything worthwhile out of this riddle. That, or asking him point-blank to come out and give it to you straight.
If you get a random text from your boyfriend that reads, you are amazing, the compliment is only a bonus. The real sweet part is that between all the things he could possibly busy his mind with, he chooses to take the time to let you know he’s thinking about you.
For men who aren’t given too many words, this may be their way of walking the talk and showing you how much you mean to them.
This one falls under the same category as men who butter you up with compliments just to ask for something later. Wanting to date your friend in this instance isn’t literal. Instead, it stands for every ridiculous favor women have been asked by guys they like or once did.
That ex you never dated who messed up calling more often and slipping different variants of ‘you are amazing’ in-between chats isn’t left out either. It may not be impossible for someone you used to be close with to make a comeback without an iota of lingering feelings.
But, just like the one who calls out of guilt and the other one who may have reached out due to nostalgia, the signs will always show if they’re still besotted. Don’t rely on signals and body language alone though, make them use their words, even if you are sure.
Saving the saddest for the last, this is the type of ‘you are amazing’ comment that makes the anxiety of a girl shoot through the roof. From the body language to the setting in which the conversation takes place (if it’s not impromptu,) you would have already sensed there is nothing good coming after it.
By the time he gets to the but, the message would have been clear as day. It’s worse if the good stuff he says while building up to his point is true because it just makes it hurt the more knowing you weren’t enough despite all of it.
The only person who can accurately tell you what it means is the person who says it to you. You can tell from his body language. Nevertheless, usually, it means that they appreciate something about you. To find out anything beyond that, you may need to listen to what they aren’t saying, like their body language. Or better yet, ask them.
When a guy calls you beautiful, he could be referring to your physical attributes, your personality, or both. That is, he either thinks you are pleasing on the eye or sees beauty in everything that makes you, you rather than just your looks.
Possibly that something or someone triggers thoughts of you in his mind. Or that you live rent-free in his head. Paying attention to cues like his tone and body language, along with your relationship history with the guy, can help you narrow down what it means.
The fitting response to a compliment like that is to say thank you. But if unsure of what the person means, you can ask for clarification. Feel free to pay them a compliment back if they merit it, but it’s not something you have to do.
You can say they are amazing or use similar compliments. You can write it on a note, send it as a text, put it on a gift, tell them in person, or choose any other medium that suits you and them. If you say it in person, bear in mind that it is more believable when your body language communicates the same thing your mouth does.
Next time you’re in a bind for what it might mean when a guy says something, remember body language signs are the biggest tells. Whenever words fail you, either because you can’t ask or don’t trust them to be true, check the body language signs.
As always, I hope you enjoyed reading this, but either way, leave a comment. Also, I’m sure you know at least one girl who could use the signs in this article, so kindly share the article, if it’s not too much trouble.
Utilize this tool to verify if he's truly who he claims to be
Whether you're married or just started dating someone, infidelity rates have risen by over 40% in the past 20 years, so your concerns are justified.
Do you want to find out if he's texting other women behind your back? Or if he has an active Tinder or dating profile? Or even worse, if he has a criminal record or is cheating on you?
This tool can help by uncovering hidden social media and dating profiles, photos, criminal records, and much more, potentially putting your doubts to rest.
