Men Complimenting Your Lips: What It Means & the Psychology Behind It

Communication therapist Rebecca Tenzer, MAT, MA, LCSW, CCTP, CGCS, CCATP, CCFP explains what this compliment can mean

Co-authored by Rebecca Tenzer, MAT, MA, LCSW, CCTP, CGCS, CCATP, CCFP and Bertha Isabel Crombet, PhD

Last Updated: November 27, 2025 Fact Checked

• Meaning
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• Psychology
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• How to Respond

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When a man compliments a woman’s lips, most people view this as a sign of attraction. But is this always true, or could it mean something else? If a guy recently praised your pout and you were left wondering what he meant by it, keep reading to understand the psychology behind this compliment. Plus, how to respond the next time someone comments on your kisser, with helpful insights from a communication therapist and dating and relationship experts.

“I Like Your Lips” Meaning From a Guy

Communication therapist Rebecca Tenzer, MAT, MA, LCSW, CCTP, CGCS, CCATP, CCFP says a man complimenting your lips can indicate he’s attracted to you. However, context matters, and he could just be admiring this physical quality. If you're interested in him, flirt back. If you're not interested, thank him and move on.

Steps

Section 1 of 3:

What does it mean when a guy compliments your lips?

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   He genuinely admires this specific feature. If a guy tells you, “You have beautiful lips,” it might simply mean that he truly believes just that. He could be admiring their shape, fullness, color, or even how glossy they are if you’ve recently applied a coat of your favorite lip oil. He doesn’t need to have a hidden agenda here—he could sincerely like the look of your pucker and feel compelled to say something. Take the compliment for what it is and soak it in!

   • While not impossible, it’s unlikely that a strictly platonic male friend would pay you this kind of sensual compliment.
   • So, although his current intentions may only be to flatter you, it does suggest some underlying feelings of attraction.
   • Tenzer says context is important here: “If it’s said casually (e.g., ‘You have a nice smile’), it may reflect just basic appreciation of beauty rather than [romantic] intent.”

   Meet the wikiHow Experts

   Rebecca Tenzer, MAT, MA, LCSW, CCTP, CGCS, CCATP, CCFP is a communication therapist with over 18 years of experience. She specializes in mental health and interpersonal relationships.

   Julianne Cantarella is a dating and relationship coach with over a decade of experience specializing in helping women create healthy long-term relationships.

   John Keegan is a dating coach with over 15 years of professional experience. He runs The Awakened Lifestyle, where he uses his expertise to help people find love.

   Eddy Baller is a dating coach with nearly 15 years of experience. He specializes in confidence-building, communication skills, and building meaningful relationships.

   Joshua Pompey is a relationship expert based in New York City, NY. With over 15 years in the industry, he helps his clients navigate online dating and has a success rate of over 99%.
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   He finds you attractive and is flirting with you. According to Tenzer, “A compliment about your lips may [imply] an attraction by the person who made the comment.” She explains that “lips are sensual [and] sexualized, and often have romantic or sensual undertones. In media, lips are associated with attraction, intimacy, and sex.” So, if a guy tells you, “Has anyone told you that you have really nice lips?” or, “You have sexy lips,” he probably likes what he sees, and he wants you to know it.

   • Tenzer adds that context is important here, too. She says:
     • “If [the compliment is] during flirtation or close conversation or physical touch, it’s probably due to a sexual interest.”
     • “If paired with body language cues (eye contact, batting of eyes, smiles, close proximity, tone), it’s almost certainly flirtatious and implies a sexual interest.”
   • Dating and relationship coach Julianne Cantarella says, “We always know when someone's flirting with us by their tone. It's complimentary.”
   • Mirrored body language is another telltale sign that he’s flirting heavily.
   • Cantarella explains that mirroring someone’s body language is just a matter of matching their energy, and showing that you’re “interested in listening” by “paraphrasing back” what they’ve said.
     • For example, Cantarella notes that if someone says, “I like to go rock climbing,” the other person might say, “Oh, you like to go rock climbing? I've never been. What's that like?”
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   He wants to kiss you. There’s a strong connection between lips and kissing, so if he compliments yours, he’s probably got kissing on his mind. Dating coach Eddy Baller offers one way to tell if the guy in question wants a smooch: “He's going to be looking at [your] lips, and he’s going to be smiling a lot.” Baller adds that you may experience “some sexual tension” and a feeling of intense “energy” or “chemistry.” He notes that there will usually be a lot of “looking between the eyes and the lips,” which is a “good sign that he wants to kiss.”

   • Even if he’s thinking about kissing your lips, it doesn’t mean that he’ll try to make a move right then and there, especially if you’re in a public setting or you’ve just met.
   • His intentions might be to plant the seed in your mind so he can return to it later when the moment is right.
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   He’s interested in you romantically. His tone and the intensity of his compliment might reveal more about the extent of his interest. If he says something like, “Wow, I love your lips,” or, “You have the most gorgeous lips,” he’s laying it on thick because he probably likes you likes you. Relationship expert Joshua Pompey says you can tell when somebody is interested by paying attention to their body language, physical touches, and how much effort they’re putting into your conversation.

   • If he pays you a hot-and-heavy compliment while staring into your eyes and grazing your arm with his hand, he could see you as a potential match.
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Section 2 of 3:

The Psychology of Complimenting Someone’s Lips

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   Complimenting someone’s lips is linked with intimacy and attraction. Kisses typically mark the beginning of every love story, which is why complimenting someone’s lips can seem like an obvious sign that romantic feelings are brewing. Psychologically, the mouth holds a lot of power in terms of attraction. Smiling is one of the most common non-verbal cues in communication, and the mouth is also responsible for emitting voice, which is another key factor in attraction.

   • According to science, men tend to prefer natural-looking lips instead of over-plumped ones, but a few other qualities make certain pairs of lips stand out from the rest.
     • For example, a natural level of fullness is a sign of youth and good health, and a well-proportioned pout helps balance out the face.
     • Men tend to prefer less makeup, as well. A natural lip with a bit of balm or gloss may be deemed more kissable than a bold red lip.
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   Complimenting lips is tied to nonverbal and evolutionary psychology. According to Tenzer, complimenting someone’s lips is an evolutionary cue. She explains that “lips are subconsciously linked to beauty, sex symbols, and fertility, so attention to them signals attraction.” Tenzer also says compliments can lead to mirror neuron activation, as “observing someone’s lips can subconsciously trigger a mental state of arousal, and desire to kiss or be intimate.”

   • Tenzer adds that complimenting someone’s lips is a “projection of intimacy.” She says, “Complimenting lips feels less generic [than] more ‘safe’ compliments (like, ‘I like your shoes’), and sends a clear message of interest.”
   • However, she notes that the compliment is “not overly sexual or inappropriate (like you have a nice derrière), creating an immediate emotional connection.”
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Section 3 of 3:

What to Say When a Guy Compliments Your Lips

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   If you’re interested in him, thank him and flirt back. Dating coach John Keegan advises that you say something along the lines of, “Oh my, thank you so much. That’s so sweet of you to say.” He encourages that you “validate” his effort and “allow yourself to be flattered.” Keegan asserts that “this person wants to flirt,” and believes that he may “lay it on even thicker” when met with a positive reaction. So, if you ever needed confirmation that flirting back when you’re attracted to somebody is indeed the answer—here it is!

   • Cantarella suggests that you “be quick-witted, and respond in kind flirtatiously.”
   • If you’re really into the person, don’t be afraid to compliment them right back. In fact, Keegan says to “escalate it, because you want it to go back and forth.”
   • Here are some examples of what to say to keep the flirtation going:
     • “You know, your lips aren’t bad either. They’re very kissable, actually.”
     • “You have such a nice smile—has anybody ever told you that?”
     • “What cologne is that? You smell amazing.”
     • “Do your eyes change in the light? They’re mesmerizing.”
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   If you’re not interested in him, give him a neutral thank you and move on. Keegan offers some advice on how to kindly turn someone down if you’re not into them. You can say something to the tune of, “Hey, thanks so much,” but in a “much less flirty tone back.” He says to “just be nice to them,” and that “it doesn't have to be an uncomfortable moment just because you're not interested.” Cantarella recommends that you “redirect” and change the subject if the compliment is “something you don't feel comfortable with.”

   • In most cases, the guy should get the hint, sense your energy, and move along. However, if he doesn’t, be firmer and say any of the following:
     • “I appreciate it, but I’m not looking to date right now.”
     • “Thank you, but I’m with someone.”
     • “Thanks, but I’m just not interested. I hope you understand.”
     • “Sorry, I’m just trying to spend time with my friends tonight.”
   • There is still a chance he won’t take your rejection kindly, so always be aware of your surroundings, try to stay with your group, and keep your safety top of mind.
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