125+ Creative Ways to Say 'I Love You'

Our favorite alternatives to those three little words.

It may only be three words long, but the phrase, "I love you," carries a lot of weight. It's a meaningful way to show affection for your partner. Still, if you're looking to mix things up, there are other ways to say I love you beyond the obvious. From romantic quotes to funny (and flirty) phrases, there are hundreds of ways to tell someone how much you care about them.

You and your partner might have different love languages, so it's important to communicate with your partner about how to give and receive love. For example, maybe one of you likes to hear specific words of affirmation to feel appreciated, while the other feels loved when their external needs are being met. Whatever the case, we've put together a list of prompts and ideas to help you tell someone you love them.

In this article:

Romantic Ways To Say I Love You
Cute Ways To Say I Love You
Poetic Ways To Say I Love You
Sweet Ways To Say I Love You
Funny Ways To Say I Love You
Creative Ways To Say I Love You
Unique Ways to Say I Love You
Cute Ways To Say I Love You In A Text
Ways to Say I Love You From Pop Culture

Romantic Ways To Say I Love You

Want to woo your partner with a heartfelt declaration? Here are the most romantic ways to say I love you.

"I'm so in love with you."
"You're safe with me."
"No one makes me feel the way you do."
"I love you more each day."
"You make my heart skip a beat."
"How lucky am I to call you mine?"
"I never dreamed I could be as happy as I am with you."
"You feel like home."
"I love you to the moon and back."
"You're the love of my life."
"I struck gold when I met you."
"My heart is forever yours."
"I want to spend my life with you."
"You make me believe in love."
"I feel so connected to you."
"You give me hope."
"Finding you was the best thing that has ever happened to me."
"You are my forever."
Write them a love letter.
Surprise them with a bouquet of flowers.
Give them a personalized gift, like a scrapbook of mementos.
Support their dreams, goals and passions.

Cute Ways To Say I Love You

Give your partner all the feels with these adorable ways to say I love you.

"I'm always so excited to wake up next to you."
"You are my favorite person."
"Love you lots, sweetie."
"You give me the Friday feeling every day."
"I can't stop thinking about you."
"Being with you makes me smile."
"I never get tired of spending time with you."
"You are my sunshine."
"Do you know how much I adore you?"
"You make me unbelievably happy."
"I love wrapping my arms around you."
"You're so cute when you're sleepy."
"You're my teddy bear."
Surprise them with their favorite candy.
Make them heart-shaped pancakes for breakfast.
Leave a love note for them to find.
Write it in the fog of their car window.

Poetic Ways To Say I Love You

Looking for poetic ways to say I love you? Borrow a little inspiration from the greats with these literary love notes.

"I do love nothing in the world so well as you: is not that strange?" —Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing
"Come live with me and be my love." —Christopher Marlowe, The Passionate Shepherd to His Love
"Just in case you ever foolishly forget, I'm never not thinking of you."—Virginia Woolf, Selected Diaries
"Grow old along with me/The best is yet to be." —Robert Browning, Rabbi Ben Ezra
"I have spread my dreams under your feet/Tread softly because you tread on my dreams." —W.B. Yeats, Aedh Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven
"Be with me, darling, early and late." —John Frederick Nims, Love Poem
"I love thee to the depth and breadth and height my soul can reach." —Elizabeth Barrett Browning, How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43)
"I wish I could remember that first day, first hour, first moment of your meeting me." —Christina Rossetti, The First Day
Give them a book of poetry.
Write a short love poem for them.
Recite your favorite verse to them.

Sweet Ways To Say I Love You

Pour on some sugar! These sweet ways to convey your love are charming and heartfelt.

"This reminded me of you…"
"I love our life together."
"You make me want to be a better person."
"It's so easy to love you."
"I'd do anything to make you smile."
"Seeing you happy makes me happy."
"I can see myself growing old with you."
"Is there anything I can do to help?"
"You inspire me every day."
"I love planning our future together."
"How can I love you better?"
"You light up my life."
"I trust you with all my heart."
"Our love is something special."
"I can be myself with you."
"I'm glad I get to do life with you."
Call them just to hear their voice.
Hold their hand in public.
Show genuine interest in their hobbies.

Funny Ways To Say I Love You

Thanks for loving me even when I'm hungry

Do you and your partner joke around a lot? Appeal to their sense of humor with these funny ways to say I love you.

"You've stolen a pizza my heart."
"Thanks for loving me even when I'm angry."
"Yoda one for me."
"I found my lobster!"
"Thanks for putting up with me. I know I'm a lot."
"Aloe you vera much."
"We go together like peanut butter and jelly."
"You're the highlight reel of my day."
"There's no one I'd rather have snoring next to me."
"You're my favorite person to annoy."

Creative Ways To Say I Love You

Want to mix things up a bit? Step outside the box with these creative ways to say I love you.

Cook their favorite dinner.
Create a Spotify playlist for them.
Plan a staycation for two.
Bake their favorite treat.
Print photos of you together and make a collage.
Write love notes and hide them around their house.
Learn massage techniques and give them a relaxing rubdown.
Create a scavenger hunt.
Write it in sidewalk chalk.
Bond over learning something new together (like a pottery class or cooking lesson).
Write them a postcard and send it in the mail.
Surprise them with breakfast in bed.
Make a vision board together.
Give them a handmade card.
Write a list of all the things you love about them.

Unique Ways to Say I Love You

There are so many different ways to say I love you, from spending quality time together to helping them tackle their to-do list. Express your feelings with these unique ideas and gestures.

Build a fort where you can cozy up in their favorite cuddle position.
Take care of them when they're sick.
Surprise them with tickets to a show they want to see.
Free up your Saturday morning so you can lie in bed together for hours.
Offer to do something tricky on their to-do list.
If your primary language is not their first, start learning their first language.
Kiss their forehead.
Do something spontaneous, like taking a last-minute trip.
Show up to their home with their favorite takeout for dinner.
Fill their gas tank.
Make yourselves each other's emergency contact.
Take a day off work to just be with them.
Ask them to dance.
Give them a key to your home.
Comfort them when they're feeling anxious or stressed.

Cute Ways To Say I Love You In A Text

Looking for something better to text than just "ily"? Send them one of these cute messages, and they'll light up brighter than their screen.

"Good morning sweetie! Can't wait to see you later."
"Thinking about you, my love."
"You're my favorite notification."
"I couldn't start today without telling you how much I love you.<3"
"Text me when you get home."
"Want me to pick up something for you at the store?"
"I woke up excited because I know I'm going to see you today."
"I'll miss talking to you all night long. Until the morning, my love."
"Just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate you."
"Look in the freezer. I got your favorite ice cream."
"I heard our song on the radio and it reminded me of you."
"Let's get cozy later and forget about everything else."
"Fancy a roadtrip next weekend? I'll drive."

Ways to Say I Love You From Pop Culture

Another way to say I love you is with a pop culture reference (or two). Quote your partner's favorite rom-coms, song lyrics or books to show your love.

"And you know that I'd swing with you for the fences, sit with you in the trenches." —Taylor Swift
"You have bewitched me, body and soul." —Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
"I like you very much, just as you are." —Mark Darcy, Bridget Jones' Diary
"I'm not a religious person but I do sometimes think God made you for me." —Sally Rooney, Normal People
"I wanted it to be you. I wanted it to be you so badly." —Kathleen Kelly, You've Got Mail
"Some people are worth melting for." —Olaf, Frozen
"I have never met anyone like you. It is maddening. How much you consume my very being." —Anthony Bridgerton, Bridgerton
"You are my today and all of my tomorrows." —Leo Christopher
"I love you and I like you." —Ben Wyatt, Parks and Recreation
"I wouldn't have nothing if I didn't have you." —Monsters, Inc.

Additional reporting by Alison Meehan.