Turning 40 is a milestone worth celebrating with style, laughter, and heartfelt wishes. It’s a perfect moment to show your friend just how much they mean to you.
Whether your friend embraces the big 4-0 with excitement or a little bit of surprise, a thoughtful birthday message can make their day extra special. Finding the right words can sometimes feel tricky, but that’s where we come in.
From funny jokes that lighten the mood to deeply touching sentiments that celebrate a lifetime of friendship, this list has something for every kind of birthday vibe. Let’s dive into the perfect ways to wish your friend an unforgettable 40th birthday!
Here’s to making their 40th birthday as memorable and wonderful as the friendship you share.
Heartfelt Birthday Wishes for Your 40-Year-Old Friend
When your friend turns 40, heartfelt wishes can express the depth of your connection and appreciation. These messages are warm, sincere, and celebrate the beautiful journey they’ve been on.
They show your friend how much you value their presence in your life and acknowledge the wisdom and experiences they’ve gained over the years.
Use these wishes to make your friend feel deeply loved and cherished on this special day.
Shop This Feeling
Curated products to inspire and uplift your spirit
Journaling & Writing
Wall Art & Decor
Spiritual Gifts
1. Happy 40th! Your kindness and strength inspire me every day. – A genuine compliment that celebrates your friend’s character and impact.
2. Here’s to 40 years of amazing memories and many more to come. – A warm nod to the past and the future ahead.
3. Wishing you a birthday filled with love, laughter, and all your heart’s desires. – A classic heartfelt wish that covers all the bases.
4. At 40, you’re not just older—you’re wiser, stronger, and even more incredible. – Emphasizes growth and maturity in a positive light.
5. May your 40th year bring you endless happiness and unforgettable adventures. – A hopeful and optimistic birthday wish.
6. Thank you for being a wonderful friend through all these years—here’s to many more. – A meaningful message of appreciation and continued friendship.
7. Happy 40th to someone who makes life brighter just by being in it. – A heartfelt compliment that feels personal and warm.
8. Wishing you peace, joy, and a year filled with dreams coming true. – A soothing and uplifting wish that focuses on positivity.
9. Forty looks stunning on you—inside and out. – A sweet and flattering message perfect for boosting confidence.
10. You’ve touched so many lives in 40 years—may yours be filled with as much love. – Recognizes your friend’s impact on others.
11. Happy 40th! May this new chapter be your best yet. – Encourages excitement for the future.
12. Celebrating 40 amazing years of you—a true gift to everyone around you. – A warm acknowledgment of their value.
13. May your heart be as full as the memories you’ve made so far. – Reflective and sentimental.
14. Here’s to 40 years of laughter, love, and growing into the incredible person you are. – Celebrates personal growth and happiness.
15. Wishing you a birthday as wonderful and inspiring as you’ve been to me. – Personal and meaningful.
Now that you have heartfelt messages, let’s lighten things up with some fun and funny birthday wishes.
Fun and Funny Birthday Wishes to Make Them Smile
Turning 40 is a perfect time to add humor to your birthday wishes. A little laughter can ease any nerves about the milestone age.
These funny messages bring a playful tone that your friend will appreciate, especially if they love a good joke or a cheeky comment.
Use these to brighten your friend’s day and remind them that 40 can be full of fun.
16. Welcome to 40—now you’re officially a classic! – A funny way to say they’re timeless and valuable.
17. Happy 40th! Don’t worry, you’re still younger than you will be next year. – A playful reminder that aging is an ongoing journey.
18. 40 is the new 30… or at least that’s what we’ll keep telling ourselves! – A humorous take on aging gracefully.
19. Don’t think of it as 40—think of it as 18 with 22 years of experience. – A witty way to frame the milestone positively.
20. Congratulations on turning 40! Now’s the perfect time to start lying about your age. – A cheeky joke about age and honesty.
21. At 40, your warranty might be expired, but your value just increased! – A funny metaphor about aging and worth.
22. Forty and fabulous… or at least forty and still standing! – A lighthearted compliment.
23. Age is just a number, but in your case, it’s a big one—happy 40th! – A silly jab that’s all in good fun.
24. Cheers to 40 years of awesomeness and questionable decisions! – Pokes fun at the past with affection.
25. You’re not 40, you’re 18 with 22 years of practice. – Another playful spin on age.
26. Happy Birthday! You don’t look a day over fabulous. – A humorous yet flattering comment.
27. 40 isn’t old… if you’re a tree. – A quirky joke that lightens the mood.
28. It’s your 40th! Time to start blaming your forgetfulness on your age. – A relatable and funny comment.
29. Welcome to 40, where “getting lucky” means finding your keys. – A playful joke about adult life.
30. Here’s to 40 years of being fabulous, fearless, and a little forgetful. – A fun way to celebrate personality quirks.
Ready to get a bit more poetic? Let’s explore some beautiful quotes to inspire your birthday message.
Inspirational Quotes Perfect for a 40th Birthday
Quotes can capture emotions and sentiments in a way that simple words sometimes can’t. They add depth to your birthday wishes.
These inspirational quotes celebrate life, growth, and the wisdom that comes with turning 40.
They’re perfect for sharing on social media, cards, or even a heartfelt speech.
31. “The best is yet to come.” – A hopeful and uplifting quote reminding your friend that the future holds great things.
32. “Age is merely the number of years the world has been enjoying you.” – A beautiful way to celebrate your friend’s impact.
33. “You don’t just get older, you get better.” – Emphasizes growth and improvement with age.
34. “Life really does begin at forty.” – Walter B. Pitkin – A classic quote that redefines the meaning of 40.
35. “Forty is the old age of youth; fifty the youth of old age.” – Victor Hugo – Shows the balance of life’s phases with wisdom.
36. “With age comes wisdom, but sometimes age comes alone.” – Oscar Wilde – A witty yet thoughtful quote.
37. “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” – C.S. Lewis – Encourages continued growth and aspiration.
38. “Do not regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many.” – A powerful reminder to appreciate life’s blessings.
39. “Forty is when you finally get your head together and your body starts falling apart.” – A humorous yet honest take on aging.
40. “The secret of staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age.” – Lucille Ball – A funny and timeless quote.
41. “At 40, your wrinkles show where your smiles have been.” – Celebrates the beauty of a life well-lived.
42. “You’re not getting older, you’re increasing in value.” – A positive and encouraging perspective.
43. “Every year on your birthday, you get a chance to start new.” – Sammy Hagar – Inspires a fresh mindset.
44. “Forty is the age of possibility.” – A simple quote that opens doors to new opportunities.
45. “Celebrate what you want to see more of.” – Tom Peters – Motivates focusing on positivity and celebration.
Quotes like these can add meaningful layers to your birthday wishes and inspire your friend.
Creative and Unique Birthday Messages for a Special 40th
Sometimes, a standard birthday wish just won’t do. Creative messages make your friend feel extra special and show that you put real thought into their greeting.
This section features unique, imaginative birthday messages to stand out and spark joy.
These wishes can be playful, poetic, or heartfelt, designed to make your friend feel truly celebrated.
46. Happy 40th! Today you’re a masterpiece—painted with years of wisdom and joy. – A creative metaphor celebrating life’s art.
47. Wishing you 40 candles of happiness, each lighting up a wonderful memory. – A poetic and visual birthday wish.
48. 40 looks great on you—like a fine wine that just keeps getting better with age. – A classic creative compliment.
49. Here’s to 40 years of making the world a brighter place just by being you. – A heartfelt and unique tribute.
50. May your 40th birthday be the start of a chapter filled with magic and dreams come true. – Imaginative and hopeful.
51. Forty and fearless—ready to conquer every dream you dare to chase. – Encourages boldness and adventure.
52. You’re 40 today, but your spirit is timeless and free. – Celebrates youthfulness of spirit.
53. Happy 40th to someone who’s proof that age is just a number, and fun is forever. – A joyful and unique message.
54. May your birthday sparkle as much as your personality lights up every room. – A lively and creative compliment.
55. Turning 40 means you’re the hero of your own incredible story—keep writing amazing chapters. – A literary and inspiring wish.
56. Here’s to being fabulous, fearless, and 40 fabulous years young. – A rhythmic and catchy message.
57. Happy 40th! You’re like a rare gem—unique, precious, and shining brighter than ever. – A creative metaphor that feels personal.
58. May your 40th birthday be as extraordinary as the friendship we share. – Ties creativity with genuine friendship.
59. At 40, you’ve mastered the art of living—may this year be your masterpiece. – An artistic and uplifting wish.
60. Wishing you a 40th birthday filled with laughter, love, and a little magic dust. – Fun, whimsical, and heartfelt.
Creative wishes like these can make a birthday card truly unforgettable. Now, let’s look at some perfect captions for social media to share the celebration.
Birthday Captions to Celebrate Your Friend Turning 40 on Social Media
Social media is the perfect place to shout out your friend’s milestone birthday with style and flair. The right caption can capture the moment perfectly.
These captions are crafted to be fun, flattering, and shareable—ideal for photos, stories, or posts celebrating 40 years of awesomeness.
Whether you want to be funny, heartfelt, or inspirational, these captions have you covered.
61. “40 years of fabulous! Here’s to many more.” – A short, catchy caption that celebrates longevity and style.
62. “Cheers to 40 years of friendship, laughter, and unforgettable memories.” – Perfect for a throwback photo or collage.
63. “Still young at heart, but now with 40 years of wisdom.” – A balanced mix of fun and respect.
64. “Turning 40 never looked so good!” – A confident and flattering caption.
65. “Here’s to 40 years of making the world brighter.” – Celebratory and uplifting.
66. “40 and fabulous—age is just a number, but style is forever.” – Fashion-forward and fun.
67. “Life begins at 40, and the party starts now!” – Exciting and inviting.
68. “40 candles, countless memories, and a lifetime of friendship.” – Nostalgic and warm.
69. “The big 4-0 looks amazing on you—here’s to many more!” – Simple and sweet.
70. “Celebrating 40 years of awesomeness, one day at a time.” – Casual and cool.
71. “40 years, endless smiles, forever friends.” – Heartfelt and concise.
72. “This is what 40 and fabulous looks like!” – Bold and confident.
73. “A toast to 40 years of laughter, love, and living life to the fullest.” – Elegant and meaningful.
74. “40 years young and still going strong!” – Energetic and positive.
75. “Turning 40 with grace, grit, and a great sense of humor.” – Celebrates personality.
These captions will help your friend’s birthday post stand out and get the love it deserves. Finally, let’s wrap up with some light-hearted birthday jokes to share.
Lighthearted Birthday Jokes to Keep the Celebration Fun
A good joke can add laughter and joy to your friend’s big day. These lighthearted birthday jokes are perfect for easing any birthday jitters.
They’re playful, friendly, and designed to bring a smile or a chuckle during the festivities.
Use these jokes in cards, texts, or even during a party toast for a fun twist on the traditional birthday greeting.
76. Why don’t 40-year-olds ever lose their keys? Because they don’t remember where they put them! – A relatable, funny jab at memory quirks.
77. 40 is the age when your back goes out more than you do. – A humorous comment on aging bodies.
78. Turning 40 means you’ve finally reached the age where ‘nap time’ sounds like a party. – Lighthearted and fun.
79. At 40, your secrets are safe with your friends… because they can’t remember them either! – A playful nod to forgetfulness.
80. Don’t think of it as turning 40. Think of it as becoming a classic edition! – A charming joke about aging.
81. 40 isn’t old—if you’re a tree. – A quirky one-liner.
82. Congrats on turning 40! Time to start blaming everything on your age. – A funny permission slip for forgetfulness and quirks.
83. Remember, 40 is just 18 with 22 years of experience. – A positive spin on aging.
84. Why did the 40-year-old bring a ladder to the party? Because the drinks were on the house! – A silly, light joke.
85. Forty is when you finally get your head together—but your body starts falling apart. – A humorous truth.
86. At 40, your warranty might be expired, but your value is priceless. – A fun metaphor.
87. Turning 40 means your candles cost more than your cake. – A classic birthday joke.
88. They say 40 is the new 30—so you’re basically still a teenager! – Playful and flattering.
89. Congrats! You’re now officially a vintage model. – A fun compliment.
90. At 40, you’re like a fine wine—better with age, and slightly more expensive! – A humorous and flattering comparison.
These jokes add a fun twist to any 40th birthday celebration, keeping the mood light and joyful.
Reaching 40 is truly a special milestone, and the right words can make it unforgettable for your friend. Whether you choose heartfelt messages, funny quips, or inspiring quotes, your thoughtful wishes will mean the world.
Take a moment to personalize your message—it’s the best gift your friend can receive. Here’s to celebrating friendship and many more birthdays together!