Turning 40 is a big deal — it’s the moment when your friends tease you about “going over the hill,” but also when you realize age comes with confidence, stories, and endless reasons to laugh. The milestone birthday doesn’t have to feel intimidating; it can be a celebration of wit, joy, and the humor that keeps life lighthearted.
This collection of funny 40th birthday wishes is here to bring the smiles. Whether you’re writing a card, posting on Instagram, or roasting your best friend at their birthday dinner, these messages will help you say “happy 40th” in the most unforgettable way.
Birthday Jokes and One-liners
- Age is like underwear. It creeps up on you.
- Enjoy 40 in all its glory.
- I regret to inform you, but your 30s have expired.
- May the 40s be with you.
- At 40, your favorite form of exercise becomes napping.
- Let’s drink some Red, Red Wine. Cause UB40 now.
- You’re still a special lady 40 years on. Here’s to the next 40.
- Congrats on turning 20 for the second time.
- The first 40 years of childhood are always the hardest.
- Don’t let aging get you down. It’s too hard to get up again.
- May 40 be a magical year.
- To a special sister/brother on your 40th. Here’s to another 40 years with you.
- Middle age: that time when you finally get your head together – then your body starts falling apart.
- Keep on rocking in your 4-ohs.
- Oh Christ, it’s your 40th.
- You know you’re getting old when you can’t walk past a bathroom without thinking, “I may as well pee while I’m here.”
- Show your fifth decade who’s boss.
- Just when you think life couldn’t get any worse, you turn 40.
- The tragedy of getting old: So many candles… so little cake
- Congratulations on leveling up from your 30s.
- You’re the same age as E.T. And just as wrinkly. And you’ve also got his weird long neck but I wasn’t going to mention that.
- You know you’re old when you turn down the lights to be economical instead of romantic.
- Gettin’ old is a sight to behold! Happy 40th.
- You’re nearly as old as Star Wars. You were born a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away. And you smell like a Wookiee.
- Now you’re twice as fun as a 20-year-old. Just with more back pain.
- What goes up and never comes down? Your age!
- Enjoy your 40s while you can still remember them!
- Happy 40th Birthday. Give those parts a workout before they rust.
- You know you’re getting older when an “all-nighter” means not getting up to pee.
Funny 40th Birthday Messages
Turning 40 doesn’t mean losing your sense of humor. In fact, it’s the perfect time to lean into the jokes, smile at the little aches and quirks, and remind the birthday person that age is just another reason to laugh. These funny wishes are playful, warm, and great for friends or family.
- Happy 40th! You’re not getting older — you’re leveling up with style and sarcasm.
- Forty candles might sound like a fire hazard, but at least it’ll keep the party warm.
- Life begins at 40… mostly because you’ve finally stopped caring about what people think.
- At 40, every laugh line is just proof you’ve been smiling for decades.
- Happy birthday! May your knees hold out longer than the dance floor tonight.
- Don’t think of it as turning 40, think of it as 18 with 22 years of life experience.
- Forty and fabulous — even if it takes longer to get ready in the morning.
- Happy birthday! At 40, you officially qualify for “vintage chic.”
- 40 years young, with just the right mix of wisdom and inappropriate jokes.
- They say wine gets better with age — and so do you (just with a little more cork).
- Congratulations, you’re at the age where naps are exciting and grocery shopping is wild.
- Happy 40th! May your jokes be funnier than your eyesight is clear.
- You’ve reached the age where your back goes out more often than you do.
- At 40, “partying hard” means two slices of cake instead of one.
- Happy birthday! You’re proof that growing up is optional, even at 40.
Sarcastic and Witty 40th Birthday Messages
For the friend or sibling who loves a little sarcasm, these witty birthday messages bring just the right mix of humor and truth. They’re cheeky, sharp, and guaranteed to make the birthday person laugh out loud.
- Happy 40th! You’ve finally reached the age where your warranty on youthful energy has expired.
- Congratulations — you’re now in the “don’t trust a fart” decade.
- At 40, your body is basically a classic car: high mileage, expensive maintenance, but still worth showing off.
- Happy birthday! Remember, 40 is just a number… unfortunately, it’s a big one.
- Welcome to 40, where “getting lucky” means finding your keys on the first try.
- You’re 40? Impossible. You barely look a day over 39 and three-quarters.
- Happy birthday! You’ve survived four decades of embarrassing hairstyles and bad decisions.
- Turning 40 just means your “dad joke” prime has officially arrived.
- You’re at the age when wild weekends mean gardening and takeout.
- Happy birthday! Don’t worry, Botox is always an option.
Funny 40th Birthday Wishes for Friends
Friends deserve the funniest jokes — they’ve been there through every age, and now they get to laugh with you (or at you) as you enter your 40s. These wishes balance affection with humor, perfect for texts, cards, or speeches.
- Happy 40th to my partner in crime — we’re not getting older, just sneakier.
- You’re 40 now, which means we can officially blame all our mistakes on “midlife.”
- Happy birthday! May your 40s bring fewer hangovers and better wine.
- You’ve been my best friend forever, so I promise I won’t reveal your real age… unless cake is involved.
- Cheers to 40 years of stories, secrets, and the kind of laughter that makes us cry.
- Happy 40th! Don’t worry, we’ll keep acting like teenagers together.
- May your 40th be filled with laughter, cake, and jokes too inappropriate for the kids’ table.
- You’ve hit 40 — that’s just four perfect tens!
- Happy birthday to my friend who’s proof that age is just a number… with a few more digits now.
- Turning 40 means we’re officially adults — but let’s not start acting like it.
H2: Hilarious 40th Birthday Wishes for Family
Family birthdays are the perfect chance for a good laugh — after all, who else knows your quirks better? These funny wishes are playful and affectionate, making 40 feel less daunting and more joyful.
- Happy 40th to my favorite family comedian — you still make us laugh louder than anyone else.
- Welcome to 40, where family dinners feel like marathons and bedtime is at 9.
- Congratulations on turning 40! Don’t worry, we’ll still treat you like the baby of the family.
- Happy birthday! At least now you’re old enough to tell the kids you’re “too wise” for chores.
- Forty years of family drama and you’re still standing — that deserves a medal.
- At 40, you’re officially a family classic — slightly wrinkled but impossible to replace.
- Happy birthday! May your 40s come with fewer sibling arguments and more dessert.
- Forty is just proof that you’ve survived mom’s cooking and dad’s advice for four decades.
- Congratulations — you’re halfway to being the “funny old relative” at reunions.
- At 40, you’re living proof that laughter is hereditary.
For those who love a quick Instagram post or witty Facebook status, these short captions are perfect. They’re punchy, playful, and full of humor — ideal for selfies, party pics, or cake photos.
- 40 and fabulous (with a little Advil).
- Cheers to 40 years of sarcasm.
- Level 40 unlocked.
- Born to be wild… until 9 p.m.
- Forty looks good on me, right?
- 40: old enough to know better, young enough to do it anyway.
- Just a classic at 40.
- Life begins at 40 — so does back pain.
- Cake, candles, chaos — it must be my 40th.
- 40 is just four perfect tens.
How to Make a 40th Birthday Hilarious and Memorable
Funny wishes set the tone, but the celebration itself makes memories. If you’re planning a 40th birthday, consider weaving humor into every detail. Start with a slideshow of embarrassing throwback photos, add a trivia game about the decade they were born, or decorate with cheeky “over the hill” balloons. Personalized gag gifts — like reading glasses with glitter frames or a “survival kit” of coffee and pain relievers — are small touches that turn laughter into love.
The secret is to balance fun with affection. While the jokes are about age, the heart of a 40th birthday is about celebrating resilience, joy, and the wonderful person who’s made life brighter for four decades. Keep the humor kind, add some heartfelt words, and the birthday star will feel cherished as well as entertained.
Final Thoughts
Turning 40 isn’t about getting old — it’s about living boldly and laughing harder than ever. Whether you choose a witty card message, a cheeky social media caption, or a heartfelt-but-funny toast, the best gift you can give is joy.
Share these 40th birthday wishes, spread the smiles, and remind your loved ones that life at 40 is only the beginning of even more laughter.