Welcome to the fascinating world of idioms! Idioms are expressions that convey meanings beyond the literal interpretation of their individual words. They add depth, emotion, and nuance to our language, enriching communication and allowing us to express ourselves in unique ways.
In this article, we’ll explore 25 different ways to convey the sentiment of being honored. Whether you’re expressing gratitude for an opportunity, acknowledging recognition, or appreciating a gesture, these idiomatic expressions can help you articulate your feelings with clarity and impact.
Is it Professional to Say “I Am Honored”?
Appropriate Contexts
- Recognition or Award: When acknowledging receipt of an honor, award, or recognition.
- Example: “I am honored to receive the Employee of the Month award.”
- Opportunities or Invitations: When expressing gratitude for being offered an opportunity or invitation.
- Example: “I am honored to be invited to speak at the conference.”
- Collaborative Projects: When expressing appreciation for being chosen to participate in a significant project or initiative.
- Example: “I am honored to be part of the team working on this important project.”
Potential Benefits
- Gratitude and Respect: It demonstrates humility and appreciation for the recognition or opportunity.
- Professionalism: It maintains a respectful and courteous tone, enhancing professionalism in communication.
- Building Relationships: It fosters positive relationships by acknowledging and valuing others’ contributions or gestures.
Potential Pitfalls
- Insincerity: It’s important to use “I am honored” genuinely and selectively to avoid coming across as insincere or exaggerated.
- Reserve it for situations where you truly feel honored or grateful.
- Overuse: Using the phrase excessively may diminish its impact and make it seem less meaningful over time.
- Use it judiciously for significant or meaningful occasions.
Examples of Effective Use
- Email Response to an Invitation:
- “Thank you for inviting me to join the panel discussion. I am honored to participate.”
- Acceptance Speech:
- “I am truly honored to receive this award. It means a great deal to me, and I want to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who supported me.”
- Meeting Announcement:
- “I am honored to announce that our team has been selected to lead the new project. I look forward to working with all of you.”
Alternatives
- Express Gratitude Directly: Instead of saying “I am honored,” you can express gratitude directly using other phrases or expressions.
- Example: “I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this project.”
- Acknowledge Appreciation: Acknowledge the recognition or opportunity without using the phrase “I am honored.”
- Example: “Thank you for considering me for this role.”
List of Professional Ways to Say “I Am Honored”
- I am privileged
- I am humbled
- I am deeply grateful
- I am touched
- I am appreciative
- I am grateful
- I am flattered
- I am moved
- I am blessed
- I am thrilled
- I am delighted
- I am filled with gratitude
- I am overwhelmed
- I am deeply honored
- I am privileged to be
- I am truly grateful
- I am sincerely honored
- I am genuinely touched
- I am incredibly honored
- I am genuinely grateful
- I am profoundly honored
- I am genuinely appreciative
- I am deeply moved
- I am sincerely touched
- I am deeply appreciative
I am privileged
When someone says “I am privileged,” they express a sense of honor and gratitude for being granted a special opportunity or recognition. This idiom conveys appreciation for the favor or acknowledgment bestowed upon them. It is often used in formal settings to express sincere gratitude and humility.
Example:
“I am privileged to have been chosen for this prestigious award.”
I am humbled
To say “I am humbled” is to express a profound sense of humility and gratitude in response to recognition or praise. This idiom conveys the idea that the individual feels honored by the acknowledgment but also recognizes their own limitations or the significance of the gesture. It can be used in both formal and informal settings to express sincere appreciation.
Example: “I am humbled by the support and encouragement of my colleagues.”
I am deeply grateful
“I am deeply grateful” expresses profound gratitude and appreciation for a gesture, opportunity, or recognition received. This idiom conveys a heartfelt acknowledgment of the significance of the favor or acknowledgment. It is suitable for both formal and informal settings, indicating sincere gratitude.
Example: “I am deeply grateful for your generosity and support during this challenging time.”
I am touched
When someone says “I am touched,” they express that they are deeply moved or emotionally affected by a gesture, action, or expression of kindness. This idiom conveys a sense of emotional connection and appreciation for the thoughtfulness or generosity shown. It can be used in various contexts, both formal and informal, to express genuine emotion.
Example:
“I am touched by your thoughtful gesture. Thank you for thinking of me.”
I am appreciative
“I am appreciative” expresses gratitude and thankfulness for a favor, kindness, or acknowledgment received. This idiom conveys a sense of acknowledgment and recognition of the value of the gesture or opportunity. It is suitable for both formal and informal settings, indicating sincere appreciation.
Example:
“I am appreciative of the opportunity to collaborate with such talented individuals.”
I am grateful
To say “I am grateful” is to express sincere thanks and appreciation for a favor, opportunity, or gesture of kindness. This idiom conveys a sense of acknowledgment and recognition of the significance of the gesture or acknowledgment. It can be used in various contexts, both formal and informal, to express genuine gratitude.
Example: “I am grateful for your support and encouragement throughout this project.”
I am flattered
“I am flattered” expresses that someone feels pleased and honored by attention, compliments, or praise received from others. This idiom conveys a sense of appreciation for the positive acknowledgment or recognition. It is often used in informal settings to express modesty and gratitude.
Example:
“I am flattered by your kind words. Thank you for your encouragement.”
Other Ways To Say “Take Care”
I am moved
When someone says “I am moved,” they express that they are deeply touched or emotionally affected by a gesture, action, or expression of kindness. This idiom conveys a sense of emotional connection and appreciation for the thoughtfulness or generosity shown. It can be used in various contexts, both formal and informal, to express genuine emotion.
Example:
“I am moved by your generosity and support. Thank you for being there for me.”
I am blessed
To say “I am blessed” is to express gratitude and appreciation for the positive aspects of one’s life, such as health, happiness, or meaningful relationships. This idiom conveys a sense of acknowledgment of the abundance of blessings in one’s life. It is often used in informal settings to express gratitude and contentment.
Example: “I am blessed to have such wonderful friends and family in my life.”
I am thrilled
“I am thrilled” expresses excitement and enthusiasm about an opportunity, achievement, or event. This idiom conveys a sense of joy and excitement about the prospect of something positive happening. It is suitable for both formal and informal settings, indicating genuine excitement.
Example: “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work on this exciting project.”
I am delighted
When someone says “I am delighted,” they express genuine pleasure and happiness about something. This idiom conveys a sense of joy and satisfaction with a situation or opportunity. It is often used in both formal and informal settings to express genuine happiness.
Example:
“I am delighted to accept your gracious invitation. Thank you for including me.”
I am filled with gratitude
“I am filled with gratitude” expresses profound thanks and appreciation for a favor, opportunity, or gesture of kindness. This idiom conveys a sense of being overwhelmed by the depth of one’s gratitude. It is suitable for both formal and informal settings, indicating sincere appreciation.
Example:
“I am filled with gratitude for your unwavering support and encouragement.”
I am overwhelmed
To say “I am overwhelmed” is to express feeling deeply moved or affected by a situation, often due to the intensity of emotions involved. This idiom conveys a sense of being overcome by feelings of gratitude, appreciation, or emotion. It can be used in various contexts, both formal and informal, to express genuine emotion.
Example: “I am overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support from my friends and family.”
I am deeply honored
“I am deeply honored” expresses a profound sense of privilege and appreciation for an opportunity, recognition, or acknowledgment received. This idiom conveys a deep sense of respect and reverence for the significance of the gesture or acknowledgment. It is often used in formal settings to express sincere gratitude and humility.
Example: “I am deeply honored to receive this award. Thank you for this incredible recognition.”
I am privileged to be
“I am privileged to be” expresses a sense of honor and gratitude for being included or chosen for a particular opportunity or role. This idiom conveys appreciation for the favor or acknowledgment bestowed upon them. It is often used in formal settings to express sincere gratitude and humility.
Example: “I am privileged to be part of such a talented team.”
I am truly grateful
“I am truly grateful” expresses sincere thanks and appreciation for a favor, opportunity, or gesture of kindness. This idiom conveys a deep sense of acknowledgment and recognition of the significance of the gesture or acknowledgment. It is suitable for both formal and informal settings, indicating genuine gratitude.
Example: “I am truly grateful for your guidance and support throughout this journey.”
I am sincerely honored
“I am sincerely honored” expresses genuine gratitude and appreciation for an opportunity, recognition, or acknowledgment received. This idiom conveys a heartfelt acknowledgment of the significance of the favor or acknowledgment. It is often used in formal settings to express sincere gratitude and humility.
Example: “I am sincerely honored to be chosen for this important role.”
I am genuinely touched
“I am genuinely touched” expresses deep emotion and appreciation in response to a gesture, action, or expression of kindness. This idiom conveys a sense of emotional connection and gratitude for the thoughtfulness or generosity shown. It can be used in various contexts, both formal and informal, to express genuine emotion.
Example: “I am genuinely touched by your thoughtful words. Thank you for your kindness.”
I am incredibly honored
“I am incredibly honored” expresses a profound sense of privilege and appreciation for an opportunity, recognition, or acknowledgment received. This idiom conveys a deep sense of respect and reverence for the significance of the gesture or acknowledgment. It is often used in formal settings to express sincere gratitude and humility.
Example: “I am incredibly honored to have the opportunity to address this esteemed gathering.”
I am genuinely grateful
“I am genuinely grateful” expresses sincere thanks and appreciation for a favor, opportunity, or gesture of kindness. This idiom conveys a deep sense of acknowledgment and recognition of the significance of the gesture or acknowledgment. It is suitable for both formal and informal settings, indicating genuine gratitude.
Example: “I am genuinely grateful for your support and encouragement throughout this endeavor.”
I am profoundly honored
“I am profoundly honored” expresses a deep sense of privilege and appreciation for an opportunity, recognition, or acknowledgment received. This idiom conveys a profound respect and reverence for the significance of the gesture or acknowledgment. It is often used in formal settings to express sincere gratitude and humility.
Example: “I am profoundly honored to receive this prestigious award. Thank you for this incredible recognition.”
I am genuinely appreciative
“I am genuinely appreciative” expresses sincere thanks and appreciation for a favor, opportunity, or gesture of kindness. This idiom conveys a deep sense of acknowledgment and recognition of the significance of the gesture or acknowledgment. It is suitable for both formal and informal settings, indicating genuine gratitude.
Example:
“I am genuinely appreciative of your assistance and support. Thank you for your kindness.”
I am deeply moved
“I am deeply moved” expresses profound emotion and appreciation in response to a gesture, action, or expression of kindness. This idiom conveys a sense of emotional connection and gratitude for the thoughtfulness or generosity shown. It can be used in various contexts, both formal and informal, to express genuine emotion.
Example:
“I am deeply moved by your generous donation. Your kindness means the world to me.”
I am sincerely touched
“I am sincerely touched” expresses deep emotion and appreciation in response to a gesture, action, or expression of kindness. This idiom conveys a sense of emotional connection and gratitude for the thoughtfulness or generosity shown. It can be used in various contexts, both formal and informal, to express genuine emotion.
Example:
“I am sincerely touched by your heartfelt words of encouragement. Thank you for your support.”
I am deeply appreciative
“I am deeply appreciative” expresses sincere thanks and appreciation for a favor, opportunity, or gesture of kindness. This idiom conveys a deep sense of acknowledgment and recognition of the significance of the gesture or acknowledgment. It is suitable for both formal and informal settings, indicating genuine gratitude.
Example:
“I am deeply appreciative of your time and effort in helping me with this project. Your support means a lot to me.”
Conclusion:
Understanding and using idioms like these not only adds richness to your language but also helps you express gratitude and appreciation in a more nuanced and heartfelt manner. By incorporating idiomatic expressions into your communication, you can convey your emotions and sentiments with clarity and impact.
So next time you want to express how honored you feel, consider using one of these idiomatic expressions to convey your gratitude in a memorable way!
I’m Noah Wilson, the test-prep pro at “English WRAP Up.” I’ve been helping students navigate the challenges of TOEFL, IELTS, BULATS, FCE, CAE, and PTEG, making the learning process a whole lot of fun. Over at English WRAP Up, we’re here to make your test prep incredible. Let’s wrap up your English exams with confidence and skill together!
