Emojis and their meaning
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Emoji Meaning: "E" stands for image (็ตต), "Moji" for character (ๆๅญ). Comes from Japan. Emojis use facial expressions, gestures, and objects to bring chat to life. Smiley Meaning: from the English "to smile". Pictorial representation of a face.
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๐๏ธ Emoji Categories:
๐๏ธ Smileys & People
- ๐ฅฐSmiling face with hearts
- ๐Smiling face with smiling eyes
- โบ๏ธSmiling face
- ๐Smiling face with heart-eyes
- ๐ Grinning face with sweat
- ๐Smirking face
- ๐Face blowing a kiss
๐๏ธ Animals & Nature
- ๐See-no-evil monkey
- ๐ตMonkey face
- ๐Speak-no-evil monkey
- ๐Monkey
- ๐ฑCat face
- ๐ธCherry blossom
- ๐Hear-no-evil monkey
โฝ๏ธ Activities
- โจSparkles
- ๐Party popper
- ๐Confetti ball
- ๐Jack-o-lantern
- โฝSoccer ball
- ๐ฏBullseye
- ๐Christmas tree
What is the difference between emojis, emoticons and smileys?
We all know the funny yellow faces and use them almost every day. They make communication easier for us, replace entire words and make our chats or emails more colorful. But what is their correct name? Mostly, the terms emoji and emoticon are used interchangeably. However, there are differences between these terms.
What is an emoticon?
The English words โemotionโ and โiconโ form the term emoticon.
Short strings of symbols, letters or numbers are intended to represent facial expressions and postures. Emoticons can liven up the text and convey moods or emotional states.
:-D means laughing or a big grin. If surprised, we use :-O and <3 stands for the heart and feelings.
The archetype of the emoticon is the stick man face. In 1982, a misunderstood joke among physicists led to the question of how irony might be characterized in written communication. Scott Fohlman then suggested the combination :-) with an instruction to tilt oneโs head to read it.
What is a smiley?
The term of course comes from the English verb "to smile". The smiley is the graphic representation of a facial expression. In written communication, the person writing expresses that he or she is delighted or joking.
In the 1960s, commercial artist Harvey Ball drew a smiling face with a circle, two dots and a curved line. This is how the symbol of high spirits came about. However, he forgot to legally safeguard the sign and it quickly gained popularity. The originally yellow, smiling face became an expression of rave culture. There are now a multitude of additions and variations to express different feelings.
What is an emoji?
The step from the stick man face to the image took place in Japan. The term is composed of an "e" for image and "moji" for character. Inspired by the manga world, software engineer Shigetaka Kurita developed 176 emojis in the 1990s. He was working on a pager service for a Japanese mobile provider and thereby wanted to boost its marketing among young people.
Emojis are images or pictographs. Facial expressions and gestures are shown in the form of faces and people. Objects, food, activities, animals, plants, places and other associations can also be displayed. This allows for more expressive communication. Emoticons are now automatically converted into emojis in word processing programs or online services. To display emojis, the Unicode is converted into a graphic. Emojis have been available on our mobile phones since 2010.
In contrast to emoticons, emojis offer a larger variety of facial expressions. They also offer options for adaptation, such as hair color. The graphic no longer needs to be rotated by 90ยฐ. Emojis are very popular and are regularly used by 92% of Internet users.
In 2015, the great popularity of emojis led to the Oxford Dictionary choosing an emoji as the Word of the Year. Due to its overcoming of language barriers, the face with tears of joy ๐ chosen as the most used emoji. On July 17, people celebrate the unofficial World Emoji Day.
Use and effect of emojis, emoticons and smileys
Communication with our counterpart is not just about the words pronounced. For we also communicate in a nonverbal way, that is, without using spoken language. This happens through our facial expressions, our gestures, our body language and the tone of our voice. We look to the side when we're embarrassed. Widen our eyes in surprise or raise our hands in alarm. Wrinkle our nose in disapproval or let our voice ooze with irony.
Our communication increasingly turns digital. We write emails and we chat on WhatsApp, Facebook or Snapchat. What we can express in words or in a nonverbal way in real life is accomplished by emojis with rather short texts in real-time communication. They add an emotional level to the text and can prevent misunderstandings. The majority of men and women say that they can express emotions better through emojis than through words.
In addition to the various facial expressions and gestures, there are also emojis that depict objects. These can help the other person to understand the counterpartโs current situation.
A briefcase ๐ผ rather stands for the job, the soccer ball โฝ for leisure and the palm tree ๐ด for vacation.
The number of emojis is also increasing. We can choose between hair colors ๐ฉโ๐ฆฐ ๐ฉโ๐ฆณ, with professional emojis between a male ๐จโโ๏ธ and a female ๐ฉโโ๏ธ variant and with meals between Italian ๐ and Japanese ๐ฃ.
The most used emojis
More than half of the emojis sent are faces, followed by loving or romantic emojis and the hand gestures. The majority of the emojis used worldwide are positive.
Top 5 most popular emoji categories worldwide:
- 1. Happy faces (including wink ๐, kisses ๐, face with heart-shaped eyes ๐, smirk ๐)
- 2. Sad faces (including sad and angry emoji)
- 3. Hearts (includes all colors and the broken heart emoji)
- 4. Hand gestures (includes thumbs up, clapping hands, peace sign, etc.)
- 5. Romantic (includes kiss imprint, love letter, couple kisses)
With positive emojis, the face with tears of joy ๐ is by far the most popular, followed by the face sending a kiss ๐, the smiling face with heart-shaped eyes ๐ and the smiling face with smiling eyes ๐.
The most commonly used negative emoji is the loudly crying face ๐ญ, followed by the pensive face ๐, the scared stiff face ๐ฑ and the displeased face ๐.
Possible misunderstandings in the use of emojis, emoticons and smileys
We usually keep it short in real-time communication. In written texts, misunderstandings happen more easily because of the lack of nonverbal communication. What was meant ironically might be taken seriously. A joke or a wordplay is not taken in or is misunderstood. You get your wires crossed. But the pitfalls are not only in communication.
It wasnโt meant that way at all!
In texts, emojis complement nonverbal communication. We use the smiley laughing tears when we make fun of something. The winking emoji takes the edge off a statement. We blush because of a compliment. With this, we try to reduce misunderstandings arising from the interpretation of a message.
The meaning of emojis offers many possibilities of interpretation. Some are easy to realize, others difficult to interpret if you do not know the original meaning. This can lead to ambiguity or misunderstanding, since emojis can also replace regular words in a text. Excessive use of emojis can also lead to confusion with your counterpart.
The possibilities of expression also depend on the emojis available. If the right emoji is missing, you have to improvise. Sometimes emojis are even hijacked and used completely differently than the creator had intended. For example, instead of using them in conjunction with a garden or nutrition, a zucchini or an eggplant are introduced as a phallus symbol without further ado.
Cultural differences in emoji meanings
Emojis offer a lot of room for interpretation and can be construed in different ways. Because of the many different cultures, the scope for interpretation is even increasing. Because the meaning of the funny faces and gestures is not the same throughout the world. In western countries, the sign for everythingโs under control ๐ means that everything is OK. In Japan, this gesture is used to represent money.
The face with steam coming from its nose ๐ค is used by Europeans and Americans to express anger or rage. In Japan, on the other hand, it stands for triumph.
๐ Emoji detectives called! Discovering new emoji or looking for meaning?
(49) Comments
Gemma There are so many emoji faces. Is there an easy way to tell them apart?
Editorial Team Sort them into a few groups and it gets much easier. Happy and laughing faces like ๐ and ๐, love faces like ๐ and ๐, silly ones with tongues like ๐, sad ones like ๐ข and ๐ญ, and awkward or annoyed ones like ๐ฌ and ๐. On our list of smileys and people you can see every face with its meaning, and if one confuses you, just ask here.
Chris People reply with ๐ฏ a lot. Is it just about the number?
Editorial Team Not just the number. The hundred points ๐ฏ stands for "totally", "100% agree" or "keep it real". You send it when you fully agree with something or when something is just perfect. Under a great photo or comment it's a big compliment.
Dylan Found this one on my emoji keyboard: ใฝ๏ธ. Any idea what it is?
Editorial Team That's the part alternation mark ใฝ๏ธ. It comes from Japan, where it marks the start of a singer's part in traditional songs. Most people don't know that, though. Because it looks like a zigzag line, it's often used for ups and downs or simply as decoration.
Amber Any tips for reading emoji combos? Sometimes I get three in a row and have no clue.
Editorial Team Read them like a tiny sentence. Each emoji adds a piece, and together they tell a little story or mood. ๐๐ means "I'm laughing so hard I'm dead", ๐ฟ๐ means "this is getting interesting", and ๐ฅบ๐๐ is a shy "um, can I ask you something?". If you're not sure, look up each emoji on its own first, the combo usually makes sense after that.
Rachel Why do people use โผ๏ธ instead of a normal exclamation mark?
Editorial Team It just adds more punch. The double exclamation mark โผ๏ธ is like raising your voice or saying something twice. "Happy birthdayโผ๏ธ" or "Don't forgetโผ๏ธ" feel more excited or more urgent than with a normal one. One โ is a warning, two are pure energy.
Owen Where does the word emoji actually come from?
Editorial Team From Japanese. "E" means picture and "moji" means character, so emoji simply means picture character. It has nothing to do with the English word emotion, even though it sounds similar. The first emoji sets were made in Japan in the late 1990s for mobile phones. Today there are thousands, and you'll find them all in our lists, starting with the smileys and people.
Mia R. If a guy sends ๐ค, does that mean anything special?
Editorial Team Usually it's just a hug. From a guy the smiling face with open hands ๐ค is mostly warm and friendly, like "sending you a hug" or "glad to hear that". It's not automatically flirting, but if he sends it a lot and adds hearts, there's probably more behind it.
Connor Does ๐ always have to do with food?
Editorial Team Mostly, but there's more to it. The face savoring food ๐ basically says "yum!", like under a pizza photo. People also use it for anything that looks tempting, sometimes in a playful, flirty way. Add a ๐คค if you're practically drooling.
Bec The lightbulb ๐ก, what's that about?
Editorial Team Usually someone just had an idea. The light bulb ๐ก is basically "I've got it!" or "here's a thought". You also see it a lot in front of tips. Put it after the thinking face ๐ค and you've got the whole process ๐
Ellie How would you describe the mood of ๐?
Editorial Team Calm and content. The relieved face ๐ works for relief ("finally done with exams ๐"), for feeling at peace, or for a bit of quiet pride when something went well. It can also look a little smug, like "told you so".
Sophie Is there a difference between ๐ฅฐ and ๐?
Editorial Team Yes, a small one. ๐ is more "wow, I love this", while the smiling face with hearts ๐ฅฐ is softer, more "aww, I feel loved". People send ๐ฅฐ to their partner, to friends who did something sweet, or under cute photos. If you get it, someone is really fond of you.
Nathan W. Is ๐ friendly or passive aggressive?
Editorial Team Depends on who sends it. Officially the slightly smiling face ๐ is just friendly. But a lot of people, especially younger ones, read it as a forced smile. "Sure ๐" can sound pretty cold. If you want to come across as warm, ๐ or ๐ work better.
Abby Melting face ๐ซ , how are you supposed to use it?
Editorial Team Pretty much whenever you feel like you're melting away. People use the melting face ๐ซ when they're so embarrassed they want to sink into the floor, when it's way too hot, or when everything is just too much. It can be sweet too, like melting because something is so cute. And it works for sarcasm, like "Monday morning ๐ซ ".
Josh When do people actually use ๐ ?
Editorial Team Whenever there's a bit of nervous relief. The grinning face with sweat ๐ fits after a close call ("almost missed the bus ๐ "), when you feel awkward, or to soften something embarrassing. It's like a laugh with a little "phew" in it.
Jess Any aesthetic emojis you would recommend?
Editorial Team Soft, light emojis work best for that. Try sparkles โจ, the white heart ๐ค, cherry blossom ๐ธ, butterfly ๐ฆ, bubbles ๐ซง or the crescent moon ๐. Two or three together look really nice, like ๐ธโจ or ๐๐ค. Any more and it gets messy.
Brooke A guy sent me ๐ฅด. Was he flirting or just being weird?
Editorial Team Could be either. The woozy face ๐ฅด looks dizzy or a little drunk. Either he's being silly or tipsy ("had one drink too many ๐ฅด"), or he's flirting and wants to say you make him weak in the knees. The rest of the chat will tell you which one it is ๐
Lauren Someone keeps sending me ๐. Should I read anything into it?
Editorial Team Maybe a little ๐ The smirking face ๐ is the "I know something you don't" look. It can be flirty, smug or a bit cheeky, depending on who sends it. After a compliment it usually means "yeah, I know". In a flirty chat it's often a hint that they mean more than they're saying.
Chloe The upside-down smiley ๐, is that sarcasm or just silly?
Editorial Team Usually sarcasm or quiet frustration. The upside-down face ๐ is what you send when things go wrong and you pretend to be fine, like "my train is late again ๐". Sometimes it really is just goofy, though. If you want to sound truly happy, ๐ is the safer choice.
Marcus Why do people put the blue eye ๐งฟ in their posts?
Editorial Team It's the nazar amulet ๐งฟ, also known as the evil eye charm. In Turkey, Greece and many other countries it's supposed to protect you from bad luck and jealous looks. That's why people add it to posts about good news, a new job or a baby, kind of like saying "knock on wood". So it's a wish for protection, not a curse.
Hannah Cute or sad? I can never tell with ๐ฅบ
Editorial Team Mostly cute. The pleading face ๐ฅบ is all about puppy dog eyes. People send it when they're asking for something ("can you pick me up? ๐ฅบ"), when something sweet touches them, or just to look extra adorable. Between couples it's often a soft "aww" or "please don't be mad". If someone is close to happy tears, ๐ฅน fits even better.
Graham Can someone explain what these actually mean? ๐๐๐ ๐คท๐ง๐๐๐ง
Editorial Team They look similar, but each one has its own vibe. ๐ is "here you go" or a sassy "whatever". ๐ with the arms over the head means "OK, all good", and ๐ with crossed arms means "no" or "stop". ๐คท is the classic "no idea". ๐ง is meant for deaf people and sign language, but in chats it often means "I didn't hear that". The last three are just about relaxing, so massage ๐, haircut ๐ and sauna or spa ๐ง.
Rico Is there something like an Urban Dictionary for emojis?
Editorial Team Kind of what we're trying to be ๐ For each emoji in our lists there's a page with what it means and how people actually use it, and you can leave your own question there. The slang is the fun part, like the skull ๐ meaning "I'm dead" (from laughing) or the billed cap ๐งข meaning "that's a lie". The smileys and people list is a good place to start.
Rufus ๐คฏ good thing or bad thing? Never sure with this one.
Editorial Team Usually a good thing, it means "mind blown". The exploding head ๐คฏ is what you send when something totally surprises you, like a crazy plot twist or a fact you didn't know. It can also mean your brain is fried, after a long day of studying for example. If you just want to show surprise, ๐ฎ or ๐ฒ work too.
Tyler Someone sent me ๐๐ and I'm not sure how to take it. Good or bad?
Editorial Team That's a nice one to get! The face with tears of joy ๐ means they laughed hard, and the glowing star ๐ is a little compliment on top. So it's something like "haha, you're the best" or "that was brilliant".
Lily Random question, but what's your favorite cat emoji?
Editorial Team Hard to pick just one ๐ Going by what our visitors click most, it's the smiling cat with heart eyes ๐ป, so the cat version of ๐. The cat face ๐ฑ and the cat with tears of joy ๐น are close behind. And the weary cat ๐ is perfect for those "oh no" moments.
Benjamin Is ๐ just about dancing, or does it mean something else too?
Editorial Team It's more about the mood than actual dancing. People send the woman dancing ๐ when they're excited, heading out, or just got good news. Basically a little happy dance. There's a man dancing ๐บ too, and with a party popper ๐ next to it, it pretty much means let's party.
Emily Carter What do ๐ฅณ and ๐ mean together?
Editorial Team Together, the partying face ๐ฅณ and the revolving hearts ๐ signal a joyful celebration of love, romance, and happy relationship news. Use them to celebrate engagements, anniversaries, successful date nights, or to congratulate a couple. In chats, they convey "party vibes and big love" or "so happy and in love."
Daphne What does the ๐ข emoji mean?
Editorial Team The anger symbol ๐ข represents anger, frustration, or irritation. For example, it is used when someone is extremely annoyed by something. Similar to an angry comic book exclamation mark, it shows that someone is annoyed or that something is irritating. For stronger emphasis, it pairs well with the face with a triumphant look ๐ค or the face with symbols over the mouth ๐คฌ.
Sam K. Why haven't they added an emoji for the kiwi bird and other native New Zealand birds?
Editorial Team We'd love one too! But new emojis are decided by the Unicode Consortium, and there's still no kiwi bird. For now you could use the kiwi fruit ๐ฅ as a little joke, or the bird ๐ฆ with a feather ๐ชถ. Anyone can send Unicode a proposal, so who knows.
Danny How do you text in emojis? Like actually swap words for them?
Editorial Team Yep, that's a good way to start. Swap a word for an emoji, like "Coffee later? โ", or put one at the end to show how you feel, like "Great job ๐". Once you get used to it you can tell whole mini stories, ๐๐จ๐ = ran to catch the bus. You can copy any emoji on our pages with one click.
Noah Which emoji best represents a secret crush?
Editorial Team Use the shushing face ๐คซ for a secret crush. It hints at hush-hush feelings without spelling them out. This works well in flirty texts or captions to keep things low-key. For a sweeter vibe, pair it with the smiling face with hearts ๐ฅฐ, but keep the shushing face emoji as the core signal ๐คซ๐ฅฐ.
Linda I play a game where teammates help each other out. When someone waters my trees, I thank them and add ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฆ. Now someone told me it means something else?? Is that true?
Editorial Team Kind of, but in your game it's totally fine, everyone there knows you mean water. Outside of games though, sweat droplets ๐ฆ often have a sexual meaning, so that's probably what they were hinting at ๐ If you want to play it safe, the droplet ๐ง or a seedling ๐ฑ work great for watering trees, and folded hands ๐ for the thank you.
Katie Okay, so what's the deal with ๐๐?
Editorial Team Short answer, it's sexual ๐ The eggplant ๐ stands for a penis and the peach ๐ for a butt, because of their shapes. In a flirty chat that combo is a pretty clear hint. Among friends it's usually just a joke. If you actually mean the food, better write it out.
Kiesha If a guy sends a rose๐น and a kiss ๐, what does it mean?
Editorial Team In most conversations, the rose emoji ๐น signifies romance or chivalry. The kissing face emoji ๐ adds an element of affection and flirtation. Together, they suggest interest, appreciation, or a sweet thank you, often with a romantic tone. People typically use these emojis to express flirty gratitude after receiving a compliment or favor, or to convey "miss you" or "love you" sentiments to a partner. If you're unsure of the meaning, playfully ask to confirm the vibe.
Tony What does the emoji combination of a fist with a moving forefinger pointing to a red heart mean?
Editorial Team The emoji combination of a fist ๐, a pointing forefinger ๐, and a red heart โค๏ธ typically expresses encouragement or support ๐๐โค๏ธ. It's often used to say, "You got this!" or "Keep going!" In this combination, the fist represents strength or determination, while the pointing finger directs attention to the heart, which symbolizes love or passion. Together, they convey a message of motivation and heartfelt support.
Jeremy How should I interpret it when a girl sends me the raised eyebrow emoji?
Editorial Team When a girl sends the raised eyebrow emoji ๐คจ, it can suggest skepticism, curiosity, or mild disapproval. It is often used when something seems off or when she is questioning what has been said. It could also be a playful way to express doubt or request clarification. Consider the context of your conversation to better understand her intent.
Muhammad Azeem Which emoji would you use to express "just amazing"?
Editorial Team If you want to describe something as "just amazing," try using the starstruck face emoji ๐คฉ. It captures the feeling of being awestruck and is perfect for showing that something is impressive. Another great option is the clapping hands emoji ๐, which symbolizes applause and appreciation.
Harper What does ๐ mean between men?
Editorial Team When used between men, the kiss emoji ๐ typically signifies friendship or gratitude. When a man sends this emoji in a message to a woman, it can be a romantic gesture of affection or interest. In a platonic relationship, it simply expresses a loving or friendly gesture.
Liam Which emoji best represents the feeling of love?
Editorial Team The red heart โค๏ธ perfectly captures the feeling of love. Used to express deep affection, warmth and caring, it's the go-to symbol for communicating love in text. Whether celebrating a relationship or showing appreciation for someone special, this emoji says it all.
Jan Could you please add asparagus and parsley or cilantro to the food section? And why is the regular mushroom with the animals and not with the food?
Editorial Team We'd add them right away if we could! But new emojis come from the Unicode Consortium, not from us, and so far there's no asparagus, parsley or cilantro. Closest thing right now is the herb ๐ฟ. The mushroom ๐ is with animals and nature because Unicode counts it as a plant. There's a newer brown mushroom though, and that one is filed under food.
Philip Is there a new emoji on WhatsApp that looks like it has its arms crossed under its head or appears to be melting? If so, what is its meaning?
Editorial Team Yes, there is a new emoji that looks like it is melting. Melting Face ๐ซ emoji represents feelings of extreme heat, embarrassment, or a sense of being overwhelmed. Often used humorously to convey that someone is 'melting' under pressure or from an awkward situation.
Isabella Which emoji can be used to express "dizzy" or "exhausted"?
Editorial Team Feeling dizzy or exhausted? Try the Dizzy Face ๐ต emoji. Often used to show confusion, disorientation, or overwhelming tiredness. Great for those moments when you're feeling all over the place or just need a break.
Olivia What do these three emojis mean as a response? ๐ ๐โ
Editorial Team Combining these three emojis can convey a playful and positive reaction. A Grinning Face with Sweat ๐ suggests a sense of relief or embarrassment, perhaps after a difficult situation. The Thumbs Up ๐indicates approval or a job well done. Finally, the Umbrella with Rain Drops โ could mean that despite challenges or embarrassment, all is well and you're ready to deal with it. Together they express a light-hearted recognition of overcoming something with a positive attitude.
Alex What is the meaning of this? ๐๐โฌ๏ธ
Editorial Team The combination of these emojis can be interpreted as "Looking at love going up." The Eyes ๐ emoji suggests watching or looking, the Blue Heart ๐ emoji represents love or affection, and the Up Arrow โฌ๏ธ emoji indicates an upward direction or increase. Together, they could imply observing a rise in love or affection, or simply looking at something related to love that is moving upwards.
David What is the emoji of a person wearing a bowler hat with a blue ring on their shoulder?
Editorial Team An emoji of a person wearing a bowler hat with a blue ring on their shoulder represents the Detective emoji ๐ต๏ธโโ๏ธ. Represents someone investigating or solving mysteries, often used in contexts related to sleuthing, secretive activities, or simply when someone is being curious or nosy. The bowler hat and magnifying glass are classic detective symbols, adding a playful touch to messages about investigation or discovery.
Jake Smith How does the meaning of the ๐ emoji change when it shifts from a closed fist to a thumbs up?
Editorial Team Thumbs Up ๐ is a symbol of approval or agreement. Represents a transition from neutrality or readiness to a positive affirmation or endorsement when it changes from a closed fist ๐๏ธ to a thumbs up. Often used in conversations to show support, agreement, or that something is good or satisfactory. ๐๏ธ๐
Max What does the emoji with green stuff coming out of its mouth represent?
Editorial Team Feeling queasy or disgusted? The Face Vomiting ๐คฎ emoji perfectly captures that sensation. Often used to express physical illness, extreme dislike, or disgust, this emoji shows a face spewing green liquid, indicating someone might be feeling really sick or grossed out. Ideal for those moments when words just can't convey how turned off you are by something.
Chitradevi In which country cannot this symbol ๐ be shown?
Editorial Team While the hand sign๐ is generally considered positive in many cultures, it may be interpreted as offensive or inappropriate in some countries, such as Brazil and Turkey. It's important to be aware of cultural differences when using hand gestures.
Krishna What does the male fairy indicate?
Editorial Team The ๐งโโ๏ธ male fairy emoji typically represents fantasy, magic and mythical creatures. It can also symbolize creativity, imagination, and sometimes a sense of freedom or whimsy. In some contexts, it is used to represent someone who embraces a magical or otherworldly persona.