It’s hard to believe, but there was a time before emojis when humans were forced to communicate through words alone. Communications were fraught and confusing. People were forced to exchange “u joking??” texts in order to parse the true meaning of a statement. It was a dark time.
Fortunately, in 2022 there are emoji for every occasion. And adding them to your social media posts offers benefits beyond fun. Including emoji can increase engagement by 25% on Twitter and generate 57% more Likes on Facebook. In one AdEspresso experiment, adding an emoji to the headline of an ad increased clicks by 241 percent!
Why it’s important to understand emoji meanings
We’re using more emoji than ever before, and with good reason: they’re universal, inclusive, and fun. But when adding emoji to your social media posts, you want to make sure you’re using them correctly.
Each emoji has a literal meaning (it’s a peach), but many of them also have secondary meanings that evolve over time (it’s also a butt!). Often, the secondary meaning eclipses the first: only 7% of users actually use the peach emoji to represent the fruit.
As a result, it’s important to understand emoji meanings before you use them to avoid potential embarrassment or miscommunication. You definitely don’t want to be the grocery store tweeting “Check out our eggplants!!! 🍆🤤”, unless you’re hoping to get some very NSFW photos in your DMs.
Fortunately for you, we’ve compiled a handy index of emoji meanings below. The next time you’re wondering what a particular emoji means, or why everyone is suddenly posting the chair emoji on TikTok, you can refer to the below.
2022 emoji meanings chart: all the emoji meanings you need to know
There are currently 3,633 emoji (including my new favorite, the melting face), so we can’t include all of them. But we have summarized the most popular and useful emoji for 2022 in the chart below.
18 tricky emojis with hidden meanings
Slightly Smiling Face 🙂
Sure, it seems benign. But this is the emoji equivalent of replying to an email with “no worries!”, a passive-aggressive gesture designed to stoke anxiety in the recipient.
Because there are so many more cheerful emoji options that you could have selected, choosing this smiley face signals tepid interest at best, and outright contempt at worst.
Corn 🌽
The corn emoji is often used on TikTok to mean “porn.” Sexually explicit content goes against TikTok’s community guidelines, so users get creative when discussing adult topics. Using the corn emoji (get it? It rhymes) helps users skirt the rules and prevent their content from being deleted.
Clapping Hands 👏
This can be used to refer to “clapping back”, when someone responds to an insult or criticism in a witty fashion.
When used between words (like 👏 this 👏) it indicates emphasis on the statement. However, accessibility advocates have pointed out that using the clapping hands emoji in this case is a nightmare for those who rely on screen readers.
Dashing Away 💨
While this emoji represents the puff of air that you see behind a fast-moving cartoon character, it’s also commonly used to refer to vaping or smoking. Also, based on my very scientific analysis of my own group chats, it also represents farting.
Goat 🐐
GOAT is slang for “Greatest Of All Time.” When someone drops a goat emoji, you should feel pretty good about yourself.
Snake 🐍
The snake emoji is often used to drag someone for being sneaky or duplicitous. It’s most famously linked to the Taylor Swift-Kanyé feud of 2016.
Bee 🐝
Often used by Beyoncé fans, along with the lemon emoji. Both emoji spiked dramatically after her Lemonade album dropped in 2016.
While this example is a few years old, the dramatic rise of the bee emoji is a reminder of how rapidly emoji meanings can evolve.
Avocado 🥑
This is used frequently on Snapchat to refer to being someone’s “better half.” Cute!
Leaf Fluttering in Wind 🍃
This emoji is often used to refer to marijuana.
Cold Face 🥶
This can refer to harsh or savage behavior, like “Damn, that’s cold.”
Fairy 🧚
You’ll often see the fairy emoji on TikTok as part of a dark or mean-spirited joke. As an example, someone might write in the comment on a video “You go girl! 🧚 and don’t come back plz! 🧚” or “you have so much confidence! 🧚 no idea why tho 💕☺️”
Nail Polish 💅
The nail polish emoji is often used to mean unbothered or indifferent. It’s a little bit sassy, like saying “Who cares? Not me.” It’s the emoji equivalent of this iconic Don Draper line.
Skull 💀
If you use the crying-laughing emoji when something is funny, you’re probably over 30. Gen Z, meanwhile, uses the skull when something is hilarious. (As in, “so funny I could die”).
Brain 🧠
Another emoji that has taken on new, horny connotations. The brain emoji is often used on TikTok to mean “giving head.”
Information Desk Person 💁♀️
This emoji is apparently a helpful person at an info desk, ready to answer your questions. But typically, it’s used like a shrug, to mean “Who knows?” or “I don’t care!” The figure looks like it’s flipping its hair, which adds a sassy or sarcastic element.
Bowing Person 🙇
Because emoji originated in Japan, many reflect Japanese norms and culture. For example, this person is bowing deeply to indicate respect. But to many people, especially those in North America, it looks like they have their head on the table as if they are bored or exhausted. Consider your audience before using this one!
Anger 💢
Another emoji with Japanese origins, this one resembles the veins that appear on a manga character’s face when they’re furious.
New Moon 🌚
This emoji is often used to express disapproval, or signal that the sender is throwing shade.
9 more emojis to avoid in professional communications
All of the emoji above should be used with caution. Because they have hidden meanings, they might signal different things to different people— and ambiguity is never a great idea in professional communications.
Below we have a few more to avoid at work. A warning to our delicate readers: as you might guess, many of the emoji below have sexual connotations. As always, the golden rule of professional communications is to avoid unintended horniness. We’re here to help with that.
Eggplant 🍆
The eggplant is a stand-in for a body part with a similar shape. Don’t use it! If you’re an eggplant farm, you either need to lean all the way into this sexy connotation or skip emoji all together.
Banana 🍌
Let’s just say any phallic fruit or vegetable has no place in work communications, okay?
Peach 🍑
As mentioned in the intro, the peach is 12x more likely to be used to refer to a booty than the actual fruit. That said, if you are an underwear brand, it might work for you.
Upside-Down Smiley face 🙃
The upside-down smiley face is usually used to indicate sarcasm or facetiousness (“I’m so happy it’s raining during our beach vacation 🙃”) . Unless your brand has an edgy tone, using this emoji may confuse or irritate your customers.
Purple Devil Emoji 😈
Arguably the horniest emoji, which is saying something.
Droplets 💦
Often used to refer to the splashy results of… sexual congress. Please don’t make us say more.
Hot Face 🥵
Users typically drop this emoji when they find something steamy or arousing. If you’re posting about the weather or a particularly fiery hot sauce, opt for a sun or flame emoji instead.
Tongue 👅
Pretty much any emoji that indicates drooling, licking, or an open mouth can be interpreted as “horny.” As such, they’re best avoided.
Poop 💩
If you’re not sure why a smiling pile of poop doesn’t belong in your professional communications, you need more support than an emoji meanings guide can provide. Exceptions apply if you are a bidet company or a plumber.
Your complete emoji meanings guide
Smiley faces emoji meanings
😀 Grinning face emoji meaning
The grinning face emoji means genuine happiness, positivity, or delight.
😃 Grinning face with big eyes emoji meaning
The grinning face with big eyes emoji means happiness, delight, or laughter.
😄 Grinning face with smiling eyes emoji meaning
The grinning face with smiling eyes emoji means something is so funny you are literally laughing.
😁 Beaming face with smiling eyes emoji meaning
The beaming face with smiling eyes emoji means something is particularly amusing or satisfying.
😆 Grinning squinting face emoji meaning
The grinning squinting face emoji means something is extra exciting or funny.
😅 Grinning face with sweat emoji meaning
The grinning face with sweat emoji means you’re laughing but relieved, like when you’ve escaped a close call or resolved a stressful situation.
🤣 Rolling on the floor laughing emoji meaning
The rolling on the floor laughing emoji means hysterical laughter.
😂 Face with tears of joy emoji meaning
The face with tears of joy emoji means you’re laughing so hard, you’re crying.
🙂 Slightly smiling face emoji meaning
The slightly smiling face emoji means you’re smiling politely as if something is slightly funny or not funny at all.
🙃 Upside-down face emoji meaning
The upside-down face emoji means irony, sarcasm, facetiousness, or laughing in the face of despair. Best used with friends.
🫠 Melting face emoji meaning
The melting face emoji means shame or embarrassment.
😉 Winking face emoji meaning
The winking face emoji means joking or flirting, depending on the context.
😊 Smiling face with smiling eyes emoji meaning
The smiling face with smiling eyes emoji means smiling, but with humility or warmth.
😇 Smiling face with halo emoji meaning
The smiling face with halo emoji means angelic or innocent. When used in a joking manner, it can also mean, “Who, me? I’d never do that!”
🥰 Smiling face with hearts emoji meaning
The smiling face with hearts emoji means love, friendship, or adoration.
😍 Smiling face with heart-eyes emoji meaning
The smiling face with heart-eyes emoji means enthusiastic love or affection.
🤩 Star-struck emoji meaning
The star-struck emoji means you’ve seen something particularly impressive or fascinating.
😘 Face blowing a kiss emoji meaning
The face blowing a kiss emoji means a kiss goodbye. Can be used as an affectionate greeting or sign-off.
😗 Kissing face emoji meaning
The kissing face emoji means a restrained smooch or whistle.
Smiling face emoji meaning
The smiling face emoji means an all-purpose, genuine smile. On Snapchat, this means this person is a best friend (but not your #1).
😚 Kissing face with closed eyes emoji meaning
The kissing face with closed eyes emoji means affection or romantic love.
😙 Kissing face with smiling eyes emoji meaning
The kissing face with smiling eyes emoji means a polite or friendly kiss.
🥲 Smiling face with tear emoji meaning
The smiling face with tear emoji means something is bittersweet or particularly touching.
😋 Face savoring food emoji meaning
The face savoring food emoji means that something is or looks delicious. This can also mean that someone looks attractive.
😛 Face with tongue emoji meaning
The face with tongue emoji means something is silly, cute or exciting.
😜 Winking face with tongue emoji meaning
The winking face with tongue emoji means something is goofy or silly.
🤪 Zany face emoji meaning
The zany face emoji means something is extra silly or fun.
😝 Squinting face with tongue emoji meaning
The squinting face with tongue emoji means exuberant hilarity or excitement.
🤑 Money-mouth face emoji meaning
The money-mouth face emoji means success, prestige or status.
🤗 Smiling face with open hands emoji meaning
The smiling face with open hands emoji means a warm embrace or jazz hands.
🤭 Face with hand over mouth emoji meaning
The face with hand over mouth emoji means coy laughter or embarrassment.
🫢 Face with open eyes and hand over mouth emoji meaning
The face with open eyes and hand over mouth emoji means shock, surprise or disbelief.
🫣 Face with peeking eye emoji meaning
The face with peeking eye emoji means you want to look away from something embarrassing or frightening but are unable to.
🤫 Shushing face emoji meaning
The shushing face emoji means “Be quiet!” or “This is a secret, don’t tell anyone.”
🤔 Thinking face emoji meaning
The thinking face emoji means pondering or deep in thought. Can be used sarcastically when something doesn’t make sense.
🫡 Saluting face emoji meaning
The saluting face emoji means pride, patriotism or respect. Can also be used sarcastically.
🤐 Zipper-mouth face emoji meaning
The zipper-mouth face emoji means confidentiality or secrecy.
🤨 Face with raised eyebrow emoji meaning
The face with raised eyebrow emoji means suspicion, skepticism, or disbelief.
😐 Neutral face emoji meaning
The neutral face emoji means neutrality or mild irritation. Trying not to give away any reaction.
😑 Expressionless face emoji meaning
The expressionless face emoji means frustration or annoyance.
😶 Face without mouth emoji meaning
The face without mouth emoji means shock, surprise, or confusion.
🫥 Dotted line face emoji meaning
The dotted line face emoji means trying to fade into the background or feeling invisible.
😶🌫️ Face in clouds emoji meaning
The face in clouds emoji means feeling foggy or confused. Can also mean surrounded by smoke.
😏 Smirking face emoji meaning
The smirking face emoji means something is mischievous, flirtatious or suggestive. On Snapchat, it means you are one of their best friends, but they’re not one of yours.
😒 Unamused face emoji meaning
The unamused face emoji means something is unfunny or irritating.
🙄 Face with rolling eyes emoji meaning
The face with rolling eyes emoji means something is unfunny, boring, or frustrating.
😬 Grimacing face emoji meaning
The grimacing face emoji means something is embarrassing or awkward. On Snapchat, this means your best friend is their best friend too.
😮💨 Face exhaling emoji meaning
The face exhaling emoji means relief, exhaustion, or disappointment.
🤥 Lying face emoji meaning
The lying face emoji means deceit or dishonesty. Like Pinocchio, your nose is growing.
😌 Relieved face emoji meaning
The relieved face emoji means serene, unbothered, or blissful.
😔 Pensive face emoji meaning
The pensive face emoji means quietly sad, depressed, or disappointed.
😪 Sleepy face emoji meaning
The sleepy face emoji means tired or sleeping. In anime or manga, a snot bubble indicates a character is tired or sleepy.
🤤 Drooling face emoji meaning
The drooling face emoji means desire or admiration.
😴 Sleeping face emoji meaning
The sleeping face emoji means sleep or boredom.
😷 Face with medical mask emoji meaning
The face with medical mask emoji means sick or taking precautions to avoid getting sick.
🤒 Face with thermometer emoji meaning
The face with thermometer emoji means sick with a cold or flu.
🤕 Face with head-bandage emoji meaning
The face with head-bandage emoji means sick with a headache or physical pain.
🤢 Nauseated face emoji meaning
The nauseated face emoji means physical illness or more general disgust.
🤮 Face vomiting emoji meaning
The face vomiting emoji means physical illness or intense disgust.
🤧 Sneezing face emoji meaning
The sneezing face emoji means sick, especially with allergies, or crying into a tissue.
🥵 Hot face emoji meaning
The hot face emoji means sweating from heat, spicy food, or because you saw something (or someone) you’re really into.
🥶 Cold face emoji meaning
The cold face emoji means physically cold or unfriendly behavior.
🥴 Woozy face emoji meaning
The woozy face emoji means any state of confusion, disorientation, or infatuation.
😵 Face with crossed-out eyes emoji meaning
The face with crossed-out eyes emoji means shock, surprise, or horror. Can also represent intoxication or death.
😵💫 Face with spiral eyes emoji meaning
The face with spiral eyes emoji means confusion, dizziness, or disorientation.
🤯 Exploding head emoji meaning
The exploding head emoji means something is mind-blowing, awe-inspiring, or unbelievable.
🤠 Cowboy hat face emoji meaning
The cowboy hat face emoji means exuberance, whimsy, or confidence.
🥳 Partying face emoji meaning
The partying face emoji means good news, celebrations, happy announcements, and birthdays.
🥸 Disguised face emoji meaning
The disguised face emoji means someone is hiding or in disguise.
😎 Smiling face with sunglasses emoji meaning
The smiling face with sunglasses emoji means confident, carefree, or cool. On Snapchat, this means one of your best friends is one of their best friends.
🤓 Nerd face emoji meaning
The nerd face emoji means dorky enthusiasm or interests.
🧐 Face with monocle emoji meaning
The face with monocle emoji means pondering, looking closely, or thinking deeply about something.
😕 Confused face emoji meaning
The confused face emoji means something is strange or difficult to interpret.
😟 Worried face emoji meaning
The worried face emoji means something is particularly sad, tense, or upsetting.
🙁 Slightly frowning face emoji meaning
The slightly frowning face emoji means mild worry or concern.
Frowning face emoji meaning
The frowning face emoji means moderate concern or disappointment.
😮 Face with open mouth emoji meaning
The face with open mouth emoji means mild surprise, shock, or disbelief.
😯 Hushed face emoji meaning
The hushed face emoji means surprise, embarrassment, or mild excitement.
😲 Astonished face emoji meaning
The astonished face emoji means awe, admiration, excitement, or concern.
😳 Flushed face emoji meaning
The flushed face emoji means embarrassment or shock.
🥺 Pleading face emoji meaning
The pleading face emoji means adoration or pleading.
🥹 Face holding back tears emoji meaning
The face holding back tears emoji means sadness, gratitude, or admiration.
😦 Frowning face with open mouth emoji meaning
The frowning face with open mouth emoji means something is an unpleasant or unfortunate surprise.
😧 Anguished face emoji meaning
The anguished face emoji means alarm, confusion or sadness.
😨 Fearful face emoji meaning
The fearful face emoji means something is upsetting but not devastating. Can mean fear, amazement, shock or sadness.
😰 Anxious face with sweat emoji meaning
The anxious face with sweat emoji means sadness, disappointment or fear.
😥 Sad but relieved face emoji meaning
The sad but relieved face emoji means mild frustration or upset. The worst is over — you’re not happy, but it didn’t turn out that bad after all.
😢 Crying face emoji meaning
The crying face emoji means moderate sadness or pain. Sad, but trying to keep it in check.
😭 Loudly crying face emoji meaning
The loudly crying face emoji means intense emotion. Can be used to convey sadness, relief, laughter, and joy.
😱 Face screaming in fear emoji meaning
The face screaming in fear emoji means intense or exaggerated emotion. Can be used to represent horror or fright as well as awe or excitement.
😖 Confounded face emoji meaning
The confounded face emoji means you are overcome by emotion. Can be used to represent frustration, irritation or disgust.
😣 Persevering face emoji meaning
The persevering face emoji means you are focused or putting in serious effort.
😞 Disappointed face emoji meaning
The disappointed face emoji means general unhappiness, including disappointment, regret, grief, or stress.
😓 Downcast face with sweat emoji meaning
The downcast face with sweat emoji means under a lot of pressure, worried or frustrated.
😩 Weary face emoji meaning
The weary face emoji means tired, stressed out, anxious or worried.
😫 Tired face emoji meaning
The tired face emoji means tired, frustrated or sad. Depending on context, can also mean overwhelmed by excitement or affection.
🥱 Yawning face emoji meaning
The yawning face emoji means you are tired or bored by a conversation.
😤 Face with steam from nose emoji meaning
The face with steam from nose emoji means irritation, anger or contempt. Can also mean pride or empowerment.
😡 Pouting face emoji meaning
The pouting face emoji means intense anger or rage.
😠 Angry face emoji meaning
The angry face emoji means anger, irritation or outrage.
🤬 Face with symbols on mouth emoji meaning
The face with symbols on mouth emoji means fury, outrage or frustration. The symbols represent obscenities.
😈 Smiling face with horns emoji meaning
The smiling face with horns emoji means mischief or excitement. Often used in flirtatious ways.
👿 Angry face with horns emoji meaning
The angry face with horns emoji means anger or menace. Commonly used to represent devils or devilish behavior.
💀 Skull emoji meaning
The skull emoji means death or dying, usually in a figurative sense. Used by Gen Z when something is so hilarious you could die.
☠️ Skull and crossbones emoji meaning
The skull and crossbones emoji means death or danger. Similar to the skull emoji.
💩 Pile of poo emoji meaning
The pile of poo emoji means something is awful, but you have a sense of humor about it.
🤡 Clown face emoji meaning
The clown face emoji means something is creepy, foolish or selfish. Used when someone is making a fool of themselves.
👻 Ghost emoji meaning
The ghost emoji means something is surprising, funny or goofy. Generally used in a friendly way.
👽 Alien emoji meaning
The alien emoji means something is weird, eerie or spooky, but in a playful way.
👾 Alien monster emoji meaning
The alien monster emoji means something is weird, wacky or exciting. Because the pixelated design looks straight out of an old arcade game, it’s popular with vintage computer and gaming folks.
🤖 Robot emoji meaning
The robot emoji means something is weird, nerdy or particularly technical.
😺 Grinning cat emoji meaning
The grinning cat emoji means general pleasure or happiness. This is a cat version of the grinning face emoji.
😸 Grinning cat with smiling eyes emoji meaning
The grinning cat with smiling eyes emoji means happiness or amusement. This is a cat version of the grinning face with smiling eyes emoji.
😹 Cat with tears of joy emoji meaning
The cat with tears of joy emoji means something is genuinely hilarious or funny. This is a cat version of the face with tears of joy emoji.
😻 Smiling cat with heart-eyes emoji meaning
The smiling cat with heart-eyes emoji means love, delight or admiration. This is a cat version of the smiling face with heart-eyes emoji.
😼 Cat with wry smile emoji meaning
The cat with wry smile emoji means sarcasm, cheekiness or mischief. Can also be flirtatious or suggestive. This is a cat version of the smirking face emoji.
😽 Kissing cat emoji meaning
The kissing cat emoji means affection, love or friendship. This is a cat version of the kissing face with closed eyes emoji.
🙀 Weary cat emoji meaning
The weary cat emoji means alarm, fear or horror. This is a cat version of the weary face emoji, though it looks more like the face screaming in fear emoji.
😿 Crying cat emoji meaning
The crying cat emoji means sad, heartbroken, or disappointed. This is a cat version of the crying face emoji.
😾 Pouting cat emoji meaning
The pouting cat emoji means angry, annoyed or upset. This is a cat version of the pouting face emoji.
🙈 See-no-evil monkey emoji meaning
The see-no-evil monkey emoji means playful embarrassment or surprise, as in “I can’t believe what I’m seeing!” One of the three wise monkeys representing the proverb “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.”
🙉 Hear-no-evil monkey emoji meaning
The hear-no-evil monkey emoji means playful astonishment or disbelief, as in “I can’t believe what I’m hearing!” One of the three wise monkeys representing the proverb “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.”
🙊 Speak-no-evil monkey emoji meaning
The speak-no-evil monkey emoji means playful disbelief or “I can’t believe what I just said!” Can also mean you’ll keep a secret. One of the three wise monkeys representing the proverb “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.”
Hearts and symbols emoji meanings
💋 Kiss mark emoji meaning
The kiss mark emoji means love or affection.
💌 Love letter emoji meaning
The love letter emoji means love, happiness or affection. Used when sending a heartfelt message.
💘 Heart with arrow emoji meaning
The heart with arrow emoji means you’re feeling sweet, romantic or love-struck.
💝 Heart with ribbon emoji meaning
The heart with ribbon emoji means you’re sending a gift (even if that gift is just your love).
💖 Sparkling heart emoji meaning
The sparkling heart emoji means you’re feeling playful and affectionate.
💗 Growing heart emoji meaning
The growing heart emoji means your heart is growing in size, as if you’re really moved or overcome by emotion.
💓 Beating heart emoji meaning
The beating heart emoji means passionate love or excitement. Used when someone (or something) makes your heart flutter with emotion.
💞 Revolving hearts emoji meaning
The revolving hearts emoji means infatuation or falling in love.
💕 Two hearts emoji meaning
The two hearts emoji means mutual love, affection or encouragement. On Snapchat, this means you have been #1 bffs for two months straight.
💟 Heart decoration emoji meaning
The heart decoration emoji means love, affection or admiration.
❣️ Heart exclamation emoji meaning
The heart exclamation emoji means love or affection. Commonly used to express enthusiastic agreement.
💔 Broken heart emoji meaning
The broken heart emoji means sadness, heartbreak or romantic disappointment.
❤️🔥 Heart on fire emoji meaning
The heart on fire emoji means passionate love or intense feelings about someone or something.
❤️🩹 Mending heart emoji meaning
The mending heart emoji means healing or recovering from a broken heart.
❤️ Red heart emoji meaning
The red heart emoji means gratitude, love, hope and other warm feelings. This is the most popular heart emoji. On Snapchat, this means you have been best friends for two weeks straight.
🧡 Orange heart emoji meaning
The orange heart emoji means love, support or admiration. The newest of the rainbow hearts (added in 2017), orange is also a cheery color for friendly messages.
💛 Yellow heart emoji meaning
The yellow heart emoji means affection, optimism, friendship or kindness. On Snapchat, this means you are #1 best friends.
💚 Green heart emoji meaning
The green heart emoji means love, support or admiration. Green hearts are popular among fans of the K-Pop band NCT.
💙 Blue heart emoji meaning
The blue heart emoji means affection, friendship or romance.
💜 Purple heart emoji meaning
The purple heart emoji means love, support or admiration. Purple hearts are popular among fans of the K-Pop band BTS.
🤎 Brown heart emoji meaning
The brown heart emoji means love or affection. Often used to represent racial identity.
🖤 Black heart emoji meaning
The black heart emoji means sorrow or dark humor. The leather jacket-clad motorcycle bad boy of heart emojis.
🤍 White heart emoji meaning
The white heart emoji means sympathy, kindness or gentleness.
💯 Hundred points emoji meaning
The hundred points emoji means you strongly agree with something or think it’s completely accurate. On Snapchat, this appears when you have a 100-day Snap streak with someone.
💢 Anger symbol emoji meaning
The anger symbol emoji means fury or outrage. Meant to depict the veins that pop out on your forehead when you’re really mad.
💥 Collision emoji meaning
The collision emoji means general excitement, like an explosion of joy or surprise.
💫 Dizzy emoji meaning
The dizzy emoji means “seeing stars” from dizziness or disorientation but is also often used along with star emojis to indicate positivity, giddiness or excitement.
💦 Sweat droplets emoji meaning
The sweat droplets emoji mean liquid in general. While this technically refers to sweat dripping, it’s also used as a NSFW symbol for sex.
💨 Dashing away emoji meaning
The dashing away emoji means running fast (and represents the little puff of air that cartoon characters leave behind as they speed away). It’s also used to indicate vaping, smoking or farting.
🕳 Hole emoji meaning
The hole emoji means all types of literal and figurative holes. Can be used when you’re so embarrassed you wish you could crawl into a hole.
💣 Bomb emoji meaning
The bomb emoji means something is explosive or amazing. Usually not meant literally.
💤 Zzz emoji meaning
The Zzz emoji means sleep, snoring or dreaming. Can also mean something is boring.
⏳ Hourglass not done emoji meaning
The hourglass not done emoji means time is running out.
⏳ Hourglass done emoji meaning
The hourglass done emoji means time has run out. On Snapchat, this means your streak is about to end.
Hands emoji meanings
👋 Waving hand emoji meaning
The waving hand emoji means either “Hello” or “Goodbye.”
👌 OK hand emoji meaning
The OK hand emoji means “I’m okay” or “Sounds good.”
🤌 Pinched fingers emoji meaning
The pinched fingers emoji, also known as “the Italian hand gesture,” can mean something is incorrect, frustrating or disappointing. In other cultures, this emoji can refer to things that are exceptionally good.
🤏 Pinching hand emoji meaning
The pinching hand emoji means that something is small or that you’re almost finished with a task.
✌ Victory hand emoji meaning
The victory hand emoji, also known as the peace sign emoji, means general goodwill or goodbye. In British culture, the reverse of this symbol is considered a rude gesture.
🤞 Crossed fingers emoji meaning
The crossed fingers emoji means you’re hoping something works out well.
🤟 Love-you gesture emoji meaning
The love-you gesture emoji means “I love you” in American Sign Language.
🤘 Sign of the horns emoji meaning
The sign of the horns emoji means “Rock on!” Usually associated with music, particularly heavy metal. This emoji has a variety of other meanings depending on its context.
🤙 Call me hand emoji meaning
The call me hand emoji means “Call me.” It also resembles the surfer-culture symbol that means “Hang loose” or “Take it easy!”
👈 Backhand index pointing left emoji meaning
The backhand index pointing left emoji means “Look left.” Like the other pointing emoji, this one can be helpful if you want to underscore a point being made in a previous sentence.
👉 Backhand index pointing right emoji meaning
The backhand index pointing right emoji means “Look right.” When used with the pointing-left hand emoji (👉👈), it can mean bashfulness or shyness.
👆 Backhand index pointing up emoji meaning
The backhand index pointing up emoji means “Look up” or “See above.”
🖕 Middle finger emoji meaning
The middle finger emoji means you’re flipping the bird. A rude gesture meaning “F*** you!”
👇 Backhand index pointing down emoji meaning
The backhand index pointing down emoji means “See below.”
☝ Index pointing up emoji meaning
The index pointing up emoji means you want to raise your hand, but politely. Can also represent the number one.
👍 Thumbs up emoji meaning
The thumbs up emoji means approval or “All good!”
👎 Thumbs down emoji meaning
The thumbs down emoji means disapproval, or “Not good, I don’t like it, very bad.”
✊ Raised fist emoji meaning
The raised fist emoji means solidarity, celebration, pride or power.
👊 Oncoming fist emoji meaning
The oncoming fist emoji means you either want to punch someone or fist-bump them in solidarity.
👏 Clapping hands emoji meaning
The clapping hands emoji means applause or “Great job!” Can also be used to emphasize words or statements.
🙌 Raising hands emoji meaning
The raising hands emoji means general celebration, including high fives.
🫶 Heart hands emoji meaning
The heart hands emoji means care, love, affection or support.
👐 Open hands emoji meaning
The open hands emoji means openness, affection or warmth. Can also be used by the Deaf community to indicate jazz hands or silent applause.
🤲 Palms up together emoji meaning
The palms up together emoji means “an open book” in American Sign Language. This emoji is also used by Muslims to represent prayer.
🤝 Handshake emoji meaning
The handshake emoji means agreement or consensus. “It’s a deal.”
🙏 Folded hands emoji meaning
The folded hands emoji means gratitude or an enthusiastic high-five. Also called the “prayer hands” emoji.
💅 Nail polish emoji meaning
The nail polish emoji means you feel chill, nonchalant or unbothered.
💪 Flexed biceps emoji meaning
The flexed biceps emoji means strength, power, or endurance. Can be sent to someone who has recently accomplished something tough or important or to show you’re working hard at something.
🧠 Brain emoji meaning
The brain emoji means thinking or curiosity. It has also been adopted as an NSFW sign for “giving head.”
🫀 Anatomical heart emoji meaning
The anatomical heart emoji means anything related to cardiology or heart health. Can also be used interchangeably with the red heart emoji.
🫁 Lungs emoji meaning
The lungs emoji means anything related to lung health. Can be used in discussions of smoking or vaping or in reference to taking deep breaths or breathing in general.
👀 Eyes emoji meaning
The eyes emoji means “I saw that.” Can be used to express surprise, distaste, or disapproval. However, it can also have positive meanings— especially when sent in response to an attractive photo. On Slack or in business communications, it can mean “looking at this now” when applied to a shared document.
👁 Eye emoji meaning
The eye emoji means approval or disgust, depending on context. Often used in combination with the mouth emoji (👁 👄 👁 ) to indicate surprise, shock or horror.
👅 Tongue emoji meaning
The tongue emoji means you’re mocking or teasing someone (sticking your tongue out at them). Can be used to mean licking or drooling.
👄 Mouth emoji meaning
The mouth emoji means speech in general. Often used in combination with the eye emoji (👁 👄 👁 ) to indicate surprise, shock, disgust or horror. It can also be sent instead of the kiss emoji.
🫦 Biting lip emoji meaning
The biting lip emoji means flirtation or anticipation but can also be used to indicate nervousness or anxiety.
👶 Baby emoji meaning
The baby emoji means pretty much anything in relation to babies. On Snapchat, this means you just became friends.
🙅 Person gesturing No emoji meaning
The person gesturing no emoji means “No way!” or “Absolutely not.” There are also male and female versions of this emoji.
🙆 Person gesturing OK emoji meaning
The person gesturing ok emoji means “All good!” or “Okay!” There are also male and female versions of this emoji.
💁 Person tipping hand emoji meaning
The person tipping hand emoji means “Thank you,” but it’s more commonly used when being sassy. Originally known as “Information Desk Woman.” There are also male and female versions of this emoji.
🙋 Person raising hand emoji meaning
The person raising hand emoji means you want to ask a question (or you know the answer!). There are also male and female versions of this emoji.
🧏 Deaf person emoji meaning
The deaf person emoji is used for folks who are hearing-impaired or Deaf.
🙇 Person bowing emoji meaning
The person bowing emoji means bowing with respect, but it’s often used to indicate fatigue or boredom.
🤦 Person facepalming emoji meaning
The person facepalming emoji means embarrassment, shame or disbelief.
🤷 Person shrugging emoji meaning
The person shrugging emoji means you have no clue, sorry!
🧑💻 Technologist emoji meaning
The technologist emoji means “I’m at work” and represents technology workers or general computer users.
👼 Baby angel emoji meaning
The baby angel emoji means innocence or sweetness. Often used during Christmas by those who celebrate.
🦸 Superhero emoji meaning
The superhero emoji means you’re feeling heroic or you’ve pulled off an impressive feat. There are also male and female versions of this emoji.
🦹 Supervillain emoji meaning
The supervillain emoji means you’re feeling cheeky or want to cause some trouble. There are also male and female versions of this emoji.
🧚 Fairy emoji meaning
The fairy emoji means either magic or sass, depending on its usage. Often used on TikTok or Snapchat to accompany sarcastic comments.
🧜 Merperson emoji meaning
The merperson emoji means this mythical sea creature in particular, but can be used for anything related to the ocean or swimming. There are also male and female versions of this emoji.
🧞 Genie emoji meaning
The genie emoji means you’re doing someone a big favor or hoping for good luck. There are also male and female versions of this emoji.
🧟 Zombie emoji meaning
The zombie emoji means you are feeling hungover, exhausted or barely functioning. There are also male and female versions of this emoji.
🧌 Troll emoji meaning
The troll emoji means someone is behaving like this scary mythical creature. Can be used when talking about internet trolls.
💆 Person getting massage emoji meaning
The person getting massage emoji means rest, relaxation or chilling out.
💇 Person getting haircut emoji meaning
The person getting haircut emoji means you’re getting spruced up or taking care of your appearance.
🏃 Person running emoji meaning
The person running emoji means “I’m on my way!” or that you’re so excited about something that you’re running to get it. There are also male and female versions of this emoji.
💃 Woman dancing emoji meaning
The woman dancing emoji means you’re excited, happy, ready to go out and have some fun. There’s also a male version of this emoji.
🕺 Man dancing emoji meaning
The man dancing emoji means fun, good times, and a party-ready mood. This emoji is the male counterpart to the woman dancing emoji.
👯 People with bunny ears emoji meaning
The people with bunny ears emoji means friendship, fun, or general party vibes. These two people in matching bunny suits represent the Japanese version of the Playboy Bunny. There are also male and female versions of this emoji.
🧖 Person in steamy room emoji meaning
The person in steamy room emoji means relaxation and self-care.
Stars and other symbols emoji meanings
✨ Sparkles emoji meaning
The sparkles emoji means generally positive feelings, like love, gratitude or excitement. Often combined with heart emojis for romantic sentiments. It can also be used sarcastically, especially on TikTok, where it emphasizes a facetious sentiment. (“I’m so ✨happy✨ for my ex-boyfriend and his new girlfriend!”)
⭐️ Star emoji meaning
The star emoji means success, achievement, fame, good news, or happiness.
🌟 Glowing star emoji meaning
The glowing star emoji means something is particularly positive or exciting. On Snapchat, this emoji is displayed beside someone who has had their Snaps replayed in the last 24 hours.
⚡️ High voltage emoji meaning
The high voltage emoji means lightning or electricity but can also represent great ideas, flashes of inspiration, or excitement. It is also sometimes used to represent the party drug MDMA.
🔥 Fire emoji meaning
The fire emoji means you feel strong approval for something (or someone). It is also used on Snapchat to indicate that you are on a Snapstreak with someone.
💎 Gem stone emoji meaning
The gem stone emoji means beautiful, rare, precious or special. Commonly used to refer to jewelry, but also sometimes used to refer to drugs.
❄️ Snowflake emoji meaning
The snowflake emoji means snowy or cold weather. This emoji has several secondary meanings. It is sometimes used to refer to drugs, particularly cocaine. It is also used online as an insult to refer to a sensitive person (“a snowflake”)
🍋 Lemon emoji meaning
The lemon emoji means something is sour or unpleasant. Beyoncé fans co-opted this emoji after the 2016 release of Lemonade, and when used by the Beyhive means enthusiastic love for the pop star.
🍌 Banana emoji meaning
The banana emoji means something is crazy (“that’s bananas!”), but this fruity emoji is often used in NSFW contexts to refer to male anatomy.
🍒 Cherries emoji meaning
The cherries emoji means the fruit, but this emoji can also be used to symbolize breasts.
🍑 Peach emoji meaning
The peach emoji means butts, not peaches, in most contexts.
🍍 Pineapple emoji meaning
The pineapple emoji means the fruit but is used on Snapchat to indicate a complicated romantic relationship.
🍆 Eggplant emoji meaning
The eggplant emoji means male anatomy, not the vegetable.
🥑 Avocado emoji meaning
The avocado emoji means brunch or a healthy lifestyle. On Snapchat, couples often use this emoji to mean “my better half.”
🌶 Chili pepper emoji meaning
The chili pepper emoji means something is hot or spicy, whether that’s a person, a piece of gossip, or a breaking news story.
🌽 Ear of corn emoji meaning
The ear of corn emoji can mean something is corny, but this emoji is most often used on TikTok to mean “porn.” Because TikTok safety filters catch adult content, this rhyming emoji is used as a stand-in.
🌮 Taco emoji meaning
The taco emoji means female anatomy.
🚁 Helicopter emoji meaning
The helicopter emoji became popular on Snapchat in reference to Fifty Shades of Grey (and its billionaire heartthrob Christian Grey). On TikTok, it’s also used in romantic settings.
🌿 Herb emoji meaning
The herb emoji means cooking, herbal medicine, or plant life in general. Can be used to refer to marijuana.
🍃 Leaf fluttering in wind emoji meaning
The leaf fluttering in wind emoji means wind, spring or good weather. Can be used to refer to marijuana.
🔌 Electric plug emoji meaning
The electric plug emoji means electricity or power but is often used to mean someone has connections or can hook you up with something. These can be illicit or shady.
🔒 Locked emoji meaning
The locked emoji means something is secret or secure. This emoji is also sometimes used on Instagram and other social media to refer to being in a relationship (“locked down”), particularly when it’s paired with a heart or another user’s name.
💊 Pill emoji meaning
The pill emoji means health, medicine or illness. It is also sometimes used to refer to drugs.
🪑 Chair emoji meaning
The chair emoji became a meme on TikTok in 2021, meaning that one was laughing at a joke.
🚩 Triangular flag emoji meaning
The triangular flag emoji, also called the “red flag emoji,” means danger or warning.
🦄 Unicorn emoji meaning
The unicorn emoji means something is rare, unique, or special. Often used to refer to something that’s too good to be true. It’s also commonly used on dating apps by users who are looking to hook up with a couple.
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