19 Professional Ways to Say “Good Luck”

Wishing someone “good luck” is a common way to show support, but sometimes, you might want to say it differently.

This article lists 19 other ways to express your well-wishes, suitable for various situations and relationships. Each alternative is explained to help you choose the right one for your message.

Is It Professional to Say “Good Luck”?

Saying “good luck” can indeed be professional, formal or informal, and polite. Generally, “good luck” is a warm, friendly way to express wishes for success to someone. It’s most suitable for situations where someone is about to undertake a challenge, participate in an event, or embark on a new venture.

This phrase works well with colleagues, team members, and even in more formal professional settings, as long as it matches the tone of the existing relationship. It’s suitable for use in emails, conversations, and even in professional letters, where a touch of warmth and personal encouragement is appropriate.

Here’s an example:

Greetings, Alex,

I wanted to take a moment to congratulate you on your presentation preparation. Your hard work is evident, and I believe it's going to make a significant impact. Good luck tomorrow—I'm confident you'll do great!

Best regards,
Sam

Here are the pros and cons of using “good luck”:

Pros:

• It’s a quick and easy way to show support and encouragement.
• Can be used in both informal and formal settings, depending on the relationship.
• It conveys a positive and friendly tone.

Cons:

• May seem too casual or insincere in very formal or traditional business settings.
• Could be interpreted as relying on luck rather than acknowledging someone’s hard work and preparation.
• Not specific, may not convey the full depth of your encouragement or confidence in the individual’s abilities.

While “good luck” is widely accepted, someone might consider using an alternative phrase to better match the tone of a professional setting or to convey more personalized support.

19 Other Ways to Say “Good Luck”

Looking for a fresh way to wish someone well? Here are 19 alternative phrases that can be used in various professional and personal contexts:

1. Best wishes

This alternative is more formal and polite than “good luck,” making it suitable for professional emails and letters. It conveys a sense of sincere hope for someone’s success without implying reliance on luck.

Best wishes can be used with colleagues, clients, and supervisors, especially in written communication such as emails or letters. This phrase is perfect for situations where you want to show support but maintain a professional tone.

Here’s a sample email:

Greetings, Mark,

As you prepare for the upcoming client presentation, I wanted to express my confidence in your abilities. Best wishes for a successful meeting.

Warmly,
Emily

2. All the best

“All the best” is versatile, fitting both formal and informal contexts. It’s a warmer synonym of “good luck,” offering a personal touch to your message.

This phrase is well-suited for colleagues or team members you know well, as well as in networking emails where a balance of professionalism and warmth is desired. It’s great for emails, cards, or verbal goodbyes, offering a genuine expression of hope for someone’s future endeavors without being overly casual.

Here’s an example:

Dear Lila,

It’s been a pleasure working with you. As you move on to your next chapter, all the best in your future endeavors.

Best,
Roger

3. Wishing you success

This phrase is a bit more specific than “good luck,” focusing on the outcome of success. It’s formal and polite, making it ideal for professional settings.

Use “Wishing you success” when you want to emphasize the success of someone’s efforts, such as in project completions, presentations, or personal milestones. It works well with colleagues, clients, and in mentorship situations. This alternative is especially fitting for written communications like emails or letters where you want to express sincere support and confidence in someone’s abilities.

Here’s a sample email:

Hello Karen,

As you embark on the new project, I want to express my full support for your efforts. Wishing you success in this new venture.

Regards,
Thomas

4. Wishing you the best

Similar to “all the best,” this phrase is versatile, suitable for both formal and informal situations. It offers a warm sentiment of general well-being and success.

“Wishing you the best” is perfect for when you want to convey a heartfelt message without focusing on a specific outcome. It’s great for colleagues, friends, and family members, across a variety of communication mediums such as emails, texts, or even in person. This phrase strikes a balance between personal warmth and professional courtesy.

Here’s an example:

Dear Jeremy,

As you prepare for your interview, remember how much you've already accomplished. Wishing you the best today.

Sincerely,
Diana

5. Best of luck in your endeavors

This alternative is a bit more specific, adding a note of formality to the well-wishing. It’s particularly formal and suitable for when you’re addressing someone with whom you have a professional but not necessarily close personal relationship.

It’s best used when someone is embarking on a significant or challenging project, career move, or any venture where they might need a bit of luck in addition to their skills. This phrase fits well in professional emails, letters, or even speeches, aimed at colleagues, clients, or in academic settings.

Here’s a sample email:

Dear Simon,

As you begin your journey towards opening your own business, best of luck in your endeavors.

Warm regards,
Claire

6. Wishing you all the success

This phrase leans more towards the formal side, emphasizing success in a broad sense. It’s a thoughtful way to express your hope for someone’s overall success rather than focusing on a single event or outcome.

It works well in a professional setting, such as when a colleague is leaving for a new job or when concluding a successful partnership or project. This alternative is suitable for emails, letters, and even farewell or congratulatory speeches, especially with colleagues, business partners, and clients.

Here’s an example:

Dear Olivia,

As you transition to your new role at the headquarters, wishing you all the success you deserve.

Best,
Ethan

7. Looking forward to your success

This alternative shifts the focus from wishing luck to expressing confidence in future success. It’s formal, polite, and implies a deeper interest in the person’s journey and outcomes.

Suitable for use with team members after a project kick-off, with students or mentees starting a new chapter, or colleagues taking on new roles. It conveys optimism and support for future endeavors and is ideal for emails, letters, or in discussions during meetings.

Here’s a sample email:

Dear Mia,

With your dedication and talent, the upcoming project is bound to be a success. Looking forward to your success in this new endeavor.

Kind regards,
Jordan

8. May your efforts pay off

This phrase puts emphasis on the hard work someone is putting into their endeavors. It’s a bit more formal and shows a deeper level of acknowledgment for the effort involved.

It’s perfect for encouraging colleagues who have been working hard on a project, students studying for exams, or anyone who has been dedicating a lot of time and effort towards achieving a goal. This phrase fits nicely in professional emails, motivational speeches, or personal messages of support.

Here’s an example:

Hi Alex,

You've put in so much work on this project. May your efforts pay off and bring the results you deserve.

Best,
Jamie

9. Hoping for the best for you

This phrase is warm and informal, making it more suitable for people you know well. It expresses a genuine hope for the recipient’s success in a friendly manner.

Use it with close colleagues, friends, or family members who are about to undertake something important. It’s great for text messages, emails, or even in person to show your support in a personal, caring way.

Here’s a sample email:

Hey Sara,

I heard about your presentation tomorrow. Hoping for the best for you, I know you’ll do great!

Cheers,
Nick

10. Wishing you success in your endeavor

This alternative is formal and specific, making it an excellent choice for professional contexts. It directly targets the recipient’s current project or goal.

It’s suitable for colleagues embarking on a new project, students facing academic challenges, or professionals starting new ventures. This phrase works well in emails, formal letters, or during professional meetings to offer support in a respectful, focused manner.

Here’s an example:

Dear Rebecca,

As you start your new research project, wishing you success in your endeavor. Your dedication is truly inspiring.

Kindly,
Dr. Ellis

11. May your efforts be rewarded

This phrase emphasizes the return on investment of hard work and effort. It’s quite formal and conveys a sense of justice and fairness in outcomes.

It’s particularly appropriate for situations where someone has been working hard, perhaps without immediate recognition, such as long-term projects, academic pursuits, or career advancements. This alternative is suitable for professional letters, emails, or during speeches to acknowledge and encourage hard work and dedication.

Sample email:

Dear Logan,

Your commitment to the community project has been unwavering. May your efforts be rewarded in ways that matter most to you.

Sincerely,
Patricia

12. I know you’ll do well

This phrase is a blend of confidence and informality. It’s great for when you have a personal rapport with someone and want to express your unwavering belief in their abilities.

Use it with colleagues you’re close to, friends, or family members facing exams, interviews, or any significant event. It’s especially fitting for conversations, text messages, or emails where you want to boost someone’s confidence in a more personal, direct way.

Example email:

Hey Marcus,

With all the prep you’ve done, I know you'll do well on your certification exam. Can’t wait to celebrate with you!

All the best,
Tina

13. Confident in your abilities

This phrase expresses a strong belief in someone’s skills and capabilities. It’s more formal and serious, suggesting a deep respect for the person’s talent and hard work.

It’s appropriate for mentors to use with mentees, leaders with their team members, or peers who have observed each other’s capabilities firsthand. This phrase is particularly effective in emails, letters of recommendation, or during performance reviews to affirm someone’s potential and skills.

Here’s a sample email:

Dear Elena,

Seeing your progress over the past year, I am confident in your abilities to lead the new project to success.

Best wishes,
Henry

14. Rooting for you

This phrase is casual and shows a lot of personal support. It’s like saying you’re in someone’s cheering section. It’s informal and great for friends or close colleagues.

Use it when someone is facing a challenge, like a big game, a test, or even a job interview. It’s perfect for texts, casual emails, or when talking to someone to make them feel good. It shows you believe in them and are hoping they do well.

Here’s an example:

Hi Jenna,

Big day tomorrow! Just wanted to let you know that I'm rooting for you. You're going to be amazing!

Take care,
Luke

15. Hope things go your way

This is a friendly, informal way to wish someone well. It’s like saying you hope everything turns out just how they want it to.

It’s good for when you’re talking to friends or family about something they’re hoping for, like a job offer or getting into a college. You can use it in texts, emails, or when chatting to show you’re thinking about them and hoping for the best.

Example:

Hey Connor,

I heard about your interview today. Hope things go your way! You've got this.

Best,
Ava

16. You’ve got this!

This phrase is full of energy and confidence. It’s very informal and perfect for giving someone a quick boost of confidence.

Great for when a friend or coworker is nervous about something, like a presentation or a sports match. It’s a way to tell them you believe in them completely. This phrase works best in casual messages, like texts or quick emails, or even right before they go into that big event.

Example:

Hey Max,

Just one more rehearsal before the big show. You've got this! Can't wait to see you shine on stage.

Cheers,
Zoe

17. Achieve great things!

This phrase is a cheerleading chant. It’s informal but also kind of serious because you’re telling someone you really believe they can do amazing things.

It’s good for when someone is starting something new, like a job or going to a new school. You’re telling them you think they’re going to do really well. This phrase is best for motivational speeches, encouraging letters, or supportive texts to friends and family.

Example:

Dear Tyler,

As you start your first day at college, remember, achieve great things! I believe in you.

All my love,
Mom

18. Break a leg!

This one’s a bit funny because it sounds like you’re wishing for the opposite of good luck, but it’s actually a traditional way to wish someone success, especially in the theater. It’s informal and used mostly among performers.

Use “Break a leg!” when someone is about to perform on stage, whether it’s acting, singing, or dancing. It’s a way of saying you hope their performance is so good that it metaphorically “breaks a leg.” This phrase is perfect for texts, quick notes, or saying in person right before the show.

Example:

Hi Emma,

Your big night is finally here! Break a leg! Everyone's excited to see your performance.

Best,
Oliver

19. Crush it!

“Crush it!” is all about doing an awesome job. It’s very informal and full of energy, making it great for close friends or team members who are going for something big.

This is the phrase to use when you want to pump someone up, like for a sports game, a tough exam, or a challenging project. It’s saying you know they’re going to do so well, they’ll “crush” the challenge. Best for encouraging texts, social media posts, or pep talks right before they tackle the challenge.

Example:

Hey Sophia,

Tomorrow's the championship game, and I just know you're going to crush it! Go show them what you're made of!

Rooting for you,
Eli

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right way to wish someone luck can add a special touch to your message. From formal emails to casual chats, each alternative phrase offers a unique way to show your support and confidence. Whether you opt for a traditional “Best wishes” or a more energetic “Crush it!”, your words can inspire and uplift those facing challenges.