Are you trying to show that you’re honored about something?
Maybe you’d like to know how to say “I am honored” professionally. After all, the phrase can seem a bit repetitive if you’re not careful.
Luckily, we’re here to help you!
This article will share some alternatives to give you a better way to say “I am honored.”
Is It Professional to Say “I Am Honored”?
It is professional to say “I am honored.” It’s a formal and polite way to accept something (like a gift or reward).
Generally, it means you don’t think you deserve what you’ve received. It shows that you’re truly flattered and want to find a way to share your appreciation with whoever gave it to you.
There are plenty of situations when you can use something like this.
For instance, you can use it when receiving an award, joining a new team, or being invited to a job interview. And the situations don’t just stop there!
Here’s a great example showing you how to use it when you’re making a speech:
I am honored to receive this award. I didn’t realize you respected me that much and saw the value I could bring.
Pros
- It’s professional and polite.
- It’s humble and shows you’re so grateful for something.
Cons
- It’s a bit bland.
- Loads of people use it when they don’t know what else to say to receive something good.
It’s clear that “I am honored” is a great phrase to use in formal writing. However, that doesn’t mean you’re stuck with it! It’s time to explore some alternatives.
So, keep reading to learn another way to say “I am honored.” That way, you’ll have plenty of synonyms ready to go to help you spice things up.
What to Say Instead of “I Am Honored”
- I am privileged
- I’m grateful
- I’m touched
- I am humbled
- I am deeply appreciative
- I’m filled with gratitude
- I’m so thankful
- I feel genuinely proud
- I can’t stress enough how much this means
1. I Am Privileged
To start things off, we recommend trying “I am privileged” as another synonym for “I am honored.”
This is a great phrase that works well in formal emails. It shows that you’re truly grateful and humbled that someone has reached out to offer you something.
For instance, you can use it when contacting an employer offering you a job. It shows that you’re privileged to receive the job offer and want to take the time to thank them personally.
Feel free to review this email sample to learn more about it:
Dear Ms. Parker,
I am privileged to work with you. I can’t wait for this opportunity, and I hope you see just how impactful I can be for the team.
Best wishes,
Tony Marsh
2. I’m Grateful
However, not every synonym will need to be used in an email. For instance, you can use “I’m grateful” when giving an acceptance speech.
It’s useful after receiving an award or being given the chance to speak in front of a crowd.
The phrase is humble yet powerful. It shows you truly appreciate the opportunity you’ve been given, and you would like to extend your thanks to everyone in the crowd.
Generally, this is a great way to show that you don’t consider yourself above anyone else listening to your speech.
You can also refer to these speech samples to give you a better idea of how it works:
I’m grateful to receive this award. I didn’t realize that you were reviewing my work, but I’m so happy to hear it.
I’m grateful to be stood up here in front of you today. It’s an honor to let you know what I’ve found out.
3. I’m Touched
Another great phrase to include in a speech is “I’m touched.” It’s a great synonym for “I am honored” that shows you’re genuinely flattered about an opportunity.
Generally, this works quite well when speaking in front of your team at work. It shows you’re so proud to be given the chance to speak to them directly.
Overall, it’s polite and kind. It shows that everyone else’s actions have “touched” you, and you want them to know just how appreciative you are of the situation.
Feel free to review these examples if you still need help with it:
I’m touched to be invited to speak today. I have a few things that I’d like to talk to you about, and I can’t wait to share my ideas.
I’m touched to be a part of the team. You’ve certainly made me feel welcome over the last few weeks of my starting here.
4. I Am Humbled
For something a little closer to the original phrase, try “I am humbled.”
Switching “honored” for “humbled” is a great way to let people know how flattered you are about something.
It keeps things close to the original, making this synonym a great way to spice up your formal speeches.
Try using it when accepting a work-related reward. It shows you’re really happy to receive it and want to appear as humble as possible without getting arrogant.
Also, these examples should help you to understand more about it:
I am humbled to receive this award. I knew I was putting in the effort, but I never thought I’d be rewarded like this.
Of course, I am humbled to meet you today. I’ve heard many great things about this team, and I can’t wait to learn more.
5. I Am Deeply Appreciative
Going back to formal emails, we recommend using “I am deeply appreciative” as a synonym for “I am honored.”
It’s a great phrase to use when writing to an employer. It shows that you’re really appreciative of an email they’ve sent you.
For example, you can use it when accepting a job invitation. It’s a humble way to let them know that you won’t take the job for granted.
Here’s a great email sample to show you how to use it:
Dear Ms. Murphy,
I am deeply appreciative to be considered for this position. I will not let you down, and I look forward to our partnership.
Best regards,
Roger Reign
6. I’m Filled With Gratitude
Another way to say “I am honored” in an email is “I’m filled with gratitude.”
This phrase works well when emailing your boss. If they’ve come to you to give you a brand new and exciting opportunity, this is a humble and formal way to thank them.
It shows that you didn’t expect to receive this honor from your boss.
So, it’s best to use a phrase like this to sound genuinely accepting and taken aback by whatever you’ve been offered.
This email example will help you if you’re still stuck:
Dear Miss Jenkins,
I’m filled with gratitude because of this prospect. I never knew you’d count on me for something as important as this.
Yours,
Bailey Rayl
7. I’m So Thankful
Returning to simpler options, try “I’m so thankful.” This is a great phrase to include in a formal email that shows just how appreciative you are about a situation.
We recommend using it when thanking a client for considering you for an opportunity.
It shows you’re touched and enthused by the prospect. Generally, this is a polite and sincere phrase that lets a client know just how much their offer means to you.
Here’s a great example to show you more about how to use it:
Dear Mr. Smythe,
I’m so thankful that you reached out and spoke to me about this. It’s nice to hear that you’ve been thinking of my opinion.
All the best,
Madison Kite
8. I Feel Genuinely Proud
Feel free to try “I feel genuinely proud” instead of “I am honored.” This is a great way to show genuine positive emotion after receiving a good opportunity.
It lets people know you are touched and flattered. So, you can’t go wrong with it when delivering a speech and showing people just how much it means to get the chance to speak.
Also, you can refer to these examples to see how it works:
I feel genuinely proud to be standing here in front of you today. I’m so grateful that you gave me this opportunity.
I feel genuinely proud about this opportunity. I’ll do what I can to make each of you as proud of me as I am at this moment.
9. I Can’t Stress Enough How Much This Means
To keep things genuine and sincere, use “I can’t stress enough how much this means” instead of “I am honored.”
It’s a great conversational and caring phrase that shows how much something means to you.
Generally, it works best when giving a speech to colleagues. It shows you care about their input and the opportunity they’ve given to you.
Check out the following examples if you still need help with it:
I can’t stress enough how much this means to me. I never thought I could receive an award for simply doing my job.
Of course, I can’t stress enough how much this means. It’s truly an honor to be talking to all of you about this.