200+ 40th Birthday Slogans Ideas and Quotes That Aren't Lame

I have two friends that turned 40 this month. These are guys I’ve known since college so it’s hard to believe we’re approaching this landmark age. My own 40th birthday is also on the horizon and will happen in the next year.

My has changed a lot over the past 10 years. When I turned 30, I didn’t have any kids, didn’t own a home, and was still engaged to be married. Fast forward a decade and I’ve hit all of these life events with a couple kids, a home, and a wife. The majority of my friends have gone through a similar transition over the past few years.

If you have a friend or loved one who is about to turn 40, send him or her heartfelt greetings as congratulations on reaching this significant milestone! Here are some ideas for birthday messages that aren’t lame.

40th Birthday Slogans

Turning 40 really isn’t that bad.

Is your loved one or friend celebrating his or her 40th birthday? Use any of these slogans to greet him or her.
Welcome to the golden age! Happy 40th birthday!
40 is the new 20! Cheers to you!
You’re a teen in a 40-year-old body. Happy birthday!
40 is about being awesome! Cheer up!
Party 40 times! Happy birthday!
40 is the best time of your life! Happy birthday!
Happy 40th birthday! Let’s see you blow some candles.
It’s not the age, it’s the face! Happy birthday on your 40th year!
40 years old is just 10 years old times 4.
You’re becoming lovelier every day! Happy 40th birthday!
Wrinkles are a sign of wisdom. Happy 40th birthday!

Be proud of your wrinkles! That’s 40 years of knowledge!
You may be growing old. But you’re becoming prettier!
40 years old! You’re at the perfect age!
40 years and you’re still incredibly pretty / handsome!
Happy 40th birthday! Have an awesome day today!
Are you ready to celebrate the best year of your life?
You’re 40 times more incredible today!
You’re becoming lovelier now that you’re 40.
40 years old ain’t bad at all!
Thank you for 40 years of friendship and love.
More fun and games at 40! Happy birthday!
Enjoy your amazing 40th birthday!
40 means you’re 40 times special.
Here’s to a 40th toast to a wonderful person!
40 is the start of something new!
You’re actually only 30—with interest!
Age is just something you write on a form. Happy 40th birthday!
Still young, still wise, still lovely! Happy 40th birthday!
I wish I was 40, along with you.
Cheers to 40 years of sheer awesomeness!
Wear your wrinkles with pride. Happy 40th birthday!
You’re fortylicious!
Let’s celebrate your 40th birthday with sweet cake and sweet words.

40th Birthday Quotes

Celebrate coming of age with these quotes.

If you’re stumped for an original greeting for the 40-year-old celebrant, you can use any of these quotes to include in a card.

“Forty is the old age of youth; fifty is the youth of old age.”
“At 40, you sing along with the elevator music.”
“At 40, your idea of weight lifting is standing up.
“At 40, every time you suck in your gut, your ankles swell.”
“Life begins at forty.” – W.B Pitkin
“This wine is forty years old. It certainly doesn’t show its age.” – Cicero
“At twenty years of age, the will reigns; at thirty, the wit; and at forty, the judgment.” – Benjamin Franklin

“The first forty years of life give us the text: the next thirty supply the commentary.” – Arthur Schopenhauer

“Every man over forty is a scoundrel.” – George Bernard Shaw
“The lovely thing about being forty is that you can appreciate twenty-five-year-old men.” – Colleen McCullough
“There are three hundred and sixty-four days when you might get un-birthday presents.” – Lewis Carroll
“40 is when your body gives your brain a list of things it’s not going to do anymore.”

“If life really begins on your 40th birthday, it’s because that’s when women finally get i—the guts to take back their lives.” – Laura Randolph

“To think, when one is no longer young, when one is not yet old, that one is no longer young, that one is not yet old, that is perhaps something.” – Samuel Beckett
“Be wise with speed; a fool at forty is a fool indeed.” – Edward Young

“Guys are idiots, till they’re what—40 years old.” – Wes Borland
“We don’t understand life any better at forty than at twenty, but we know it and admit it.” – Jules Renard

“The longer I live the more beautiful life becomes.” – Frank Lloyd Wright
“As you get older, three things happen: The first is your memory goes, and I can’t remember the other two.” — Norman Wisdom
“Today is the oldest you have been, and the youngest you will ever be. Make the most of it!” – Nicky Gumbel
“We turn not older with years, but newer every day.” – Emily Dickinson

“A birth-date is a reminder to celebrate life as well as to update life.” — Amit Kalantri

“Life really does begin at forty. Up until then, you are just doing research.” — Carl Gustav Jung
“Whatever with the past has gone, the best is always yet to come.” — Lucy Larcom
“Middle age is when you still believe you’ll feel better in the morning.” — Bob Hope
“Inside every older person is a younger person wondering what the hell happened.” — Cora Harvey Armstrong
“Nice to be here? At my age, it’s nice to be anywhere.” – George Burns
“We are always the same age inside.” – Gertrude Stein

“Don’t regret another birthday. The good news is that you are alive and can celebrate it.” – Catherine Pulsifer

“Let us respect gray hairs, especially our own.” — J. P. Sears
“Birthdays come but once a year, celebrate and be of good cheer.” — Robert Rivers
“It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.” – E.E. Cummings
“Youth is the gift of nature, but age is a work of art.” – Stanislaw Jerzy Lec
“At twenty years of age, the will reigns; at thirty, the wit; and at forty, the judgment.” — Benjamin Franklin

Funny 40th Birthday Wishes

Many employees reach their career goals in their 40s.

Everybody loves a good laugh. Here are some humorous 40th birthday wishes that would put more than a smile on the celebrant’s face.
You’re 40! It’s that year when you finally get your head together, only to have your body starting to fall apart.
So many candles to blow, so little cake to eat! Happy 40th and watch that cholesterol.
What goes up and does not go down? Your age, of course! Happy 40th!
Forty isn’t really old—unless you’re a Galapagos tortoise.
40! It’s when you’re old enough to admit your mistakes, but young enough to make even more.
If you can blow 40 candles in 1 breath, you’re still fine!
You’re 40 when your back becomes hairier than your head.
That’s not gray hair. That’s black hair with glitter.
Having grey hair is a sign of being smart. You’re a genius!
Be positive! You’re closer to having a senior discount.
Happy 40th birthday! Can you eat 40 more slices?
When you’re 40, your age starts showing on your belly.
The 40s is strong in this one.
Congratulations! You’re now halfway between baby and adult diapers.
Happy 10th birthday for the 4th time!
You’re still 20 years old—twice!
Here’s to a great 30th birthday—with 10 years interest.
You’re still a teen—with gray hair. Happy 40 years!
Feeling old? Just pop the bubble wrap on your gifts to be a kid again.
You were a kid before. Why not become a kid now? Happy 40th birthday!
You aren’t only getting older. You’re getting better! Welcome to your 40th year!
Age is only a number, and yours is unlisted until just now.

Don’t worry! 40 is actually “fourteen” with the “teen” replaced by a “ty.”
Feeling bad at 40? Just remember how you’ll feel 40 years from now.
40 years old! Come on, you’re still young!
Grow up! Wait, you’re already grown up! Happy 40th birthday!
You’re 40—when a romantic date involves lobster, caviar, and things you couldn’t afford when you were 20.
Even now, you’re still a teen—just a little slow, gray, and with wrinkles.
Feeling blue? Think about this: not everyone reaches your age! Happy birthday!
Hey, don’t worry about being 40. You can always lie about your age.
Just think of 40 as the teenager of being 70.
You’re not old. Your old age is always 10 years after your birthday.
It’s actually great that you turned 40! It’s nature’s way of telling you to eat more cake.
You’re a tree—old and grounded. Happy 40th birthday!

40th Birthday Messages for Women

Now’s the time to own the room.

Here are birthday messages to celebrate the special woman in your life.

Rawr! You’re 40 and still foxy!
Do you know that each time a woman turns 40, a cougar is born?
Wrinkles are a reminder that you’re becoming wiser and more beautiful! Happy 40th birthday!
40 is a very attractive age.
Happy 40th birthday! Celebrate and look forward to another year!
Welcome to a new chapter of your loveliness! Happy 40th birthday!
40 is the new 20! Enjoy and have fun!
Happy birthday to someone gorgeous, sexy, terrific, and lovely!
Congratulations on four perfect decades of being incredible!
You’re an incredible woman. Happy 40th birthday!
You’re beautiful and wise beyond your years. Happy 40th birthday!
You’ll always be pretty and sexy! Enjoy your 40th birthday!
You’re as sexy as two 20-year old girls. Happy 40th birthday!
Cheers to a one beautiful, stunning, and youthful 40-year-old!
You will forever be someone beautiful, inside and out, no matter the years.
Warmest wishes for a super special 40th birthday.
The first 40 years was just for starters. Now the real fun begins!
Every day, I always think about you. But today, that just multiplied 40 times more!
Excited to celebrate your 40th birthday? We are!
Don’t let the number 40 become an obstacle. Stay true and special! Happy birthday!
You don’t grow old, no matter how long you life your life! Be a child at 40!
No wrinkle, loose skin, or blemish can take my eyes off you! Happy 40th birthday!
40 years and you’re still blooming! Stay as fabulous and stunning as you are!
Beautiful women age like fine wine! Have a special 40th birthday!
It’s a special day! Let the party begin!
Have a crazy and fun 40th birthday with beautiful memories that last a lifetime.
Have a special 40th birthday! You’ll always be that beautiful teen to me.
If we have to grow old, let’s grow old together! Have a special 40th year!
You’re a golden girl! Have a special, glittery 40th birthday!
Do you know that now you’re 40, you’re definitely fabulous?
Let’s party like crazy and wave to people younger than us. Here’s to being 40!
40 years old? Nope! You’re 40 years young!
Welcome to the most beautiful years of your life! Hit it at 40!
Don’t think that your life just went by. Rather, think of the exciting stuff that lies ahead of 40.

40th Birthday Messages for Men

Celebrate life.

Men become grown men when they turn 40. Let’s evaluate some birthday wishes for the 40-year-old guy in your life.

You’re 40! You’re such a happening! What happened, man?
Let’s drink to being bearded, loveable guys! Happy 40th birthday!
40 is a very handsome age.
Cheers to another year or receding hairlines and bulging beer tummies.
You’re now legitimately a distinguished gentleman.
Well, boys! We’re officially at the best part of our lives. Happy 40th!
Happy 40 years! How does it feel to be the oldest boy in the world?
Open some beers, serve some steak, and let’s say cheers to 40!
No, you’re not turning 40. You’re just trapped in a time warp.
40 is just the beginning of a whole new world of massive fun!
Remember, it’s not the age, it’s the mileage. Happy 40th birthday!
Being 40 is a nice change from being young. Enjoy your 4th decade!
There’s no sense in being sad at 40. You’re wiser and have become a better man.
Being 40 gave you the best gift—the life you’ve always longed for.
Still happy about fishing, beer, steak, and golf? Then 40 should be fine.
Getting to a magnificent 40 years old is a work of art.
Fierce, funny, forty! That’s you!

Feeling old at 40? Have a beer with great friends! You’ll feel young again.
It’s your 40th birthday. You deserve the best party in the world!
Forget being 40 years old. Being young or old is just a state of mind.
Celebrate this amazing milestone and have a wonderful 40th birthday.
You age like fine wine—and cheese! You get better as you grow older.
At 40, you’ve become the epitome of manly magnificence. Happy birthday!
Age doesn’t matter when you make each day shine brighter. Happy 40th birthday!
Turning 40 is the beginning of a brand-new phase in life! Make every day count!
Turning 40 marks a life celebration, an achievement milestone, a hallmark of wisdom, and a promise of adventures.
Don’t think you’re 40. Think about how far you’ve gone since you were born.
Let’s celebrate your 40th year of existence!
Older actually looks good on you. Have a special 40th birthday!
It’s your time in the sun. Be crazy! Today is your day.
Don’t stop playing just because you’re 40. 40 is playtime!
Happy 40th birthday! Thank you for being a part of me/us.
You turned 40! Give yourself a pat in the back for being an awesome person!

40th Birthday Wishes for Friends

Cheers!

There’s no limit when it comes to wishes on your special day. Happy 40th birthday!
You’re not a banana! So you’re actually getting better as you grow older.
Live your life as if every day is your birthday—a special day!
Spend your special day celebrating with good friends and great food!
Happy 40th birthday to the most loyal, genuine and caring friend I have.
40 isn’t the end of the world. It’s the beginning of one!
Friends are friends forever! Happy 40th birthday!
They said 40 is the new 30. But you look like 25! Happy 40th birthday!
Happy 40th birthday to the dearest, kindest, and most awesome friend ever!
We’ve been through good and tough times! Let’s celebrate it together on your 40th birthday.
Keep being the best and most reliable friend you have always been! Happy 40!
Let’s get wild and party like teenagers! Happy 40th birthday!
Our friendship just gets stronger over the years. Happy 40 years of amazing friendship!
You’re just 40 years old! There’s still 50 more years to go! Happy birthday!
I’ve definitely treasured our friendship all these years! Enjoy your special day!
I’m honored to be your best friend! Enjoy your 40th birthday!
What’s your birthday wish? The sky’s the limit is for the next 40!
Take a deep breath and enjoy your special 40th year!
You know, if you shave off that beard, you’ll still be 40! Enjoy your special day, dude!
You’ll always be that awesome dude I’ve know since 3rd grade! Happy 40th birthday!
You deserve the best things in the world during your special day and beyond.
Wishing you a life of abundance and good luck on your 40th birthday!
Today is a fantastic day for a special person—you! Happy birthday on your fourth decade!
Think 40 is too old? Just imagine it’s just 4 decades.
Congratulations on reaching your 40th milestone!
Good luck comes to those who reach 40!
So, where do we go? Beer? Pretzels? Steak? All my treats on your 40th birthday!
You’re wise and beautiful beyond words. Happy 40th birthday!
You’re an inspiration to everyone around you! Happy 40th birthday!
Mouth-watering food, good friends, exquisite wine! But you’re the best!
We’re fortunate to have you in this world! Happy 40th birthday!
When your joints ache and your vision fades, just remember—we’ll always be here for you.
Happy 40th birthday! You’re a gift in my life!
The fabulous 40 has come! Get crazy on your special day!

Reaching 40 isn’t something you need to stress out about. Sure… you’re older. But you’re also more experience and are still young enough to be active, healthy, and do most of the activities you enjoy.

It’s also a gateway to even more exciting things to come. Thus, when someone dear reaches the four decades of his or her life, remind him or her how special they are. Here’s to the next 40 years of living!

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