A picture is worth a thousand
words, but what about emojis?
These small icons have become a language of their own. You, your kids and your grandkids use them, but not all in the same way. If you have ever looked at a text thread with bewilderment, wondering why your child sent you a skull emoji when you said something funny—or a nails emoji when you didn’t say anything about getting your nails done—then this guide is for you!
Faces
😃 (Grinning Face) = Used sarcastically, similar to the single tear emoji.
🙂 (Slightly Smiling Face) = Meant to convey being passive-aggressive or sarcastic.
🙃 (Upside-Down Face) = Similar meaning to above, but showing more discontentment, displeasure, or frustration.
😳 (Astonished Face) = Surprise or judgment.
😌 (Relieved Face) = Trying to contain your excitement/be nonchalant.
😭 (Loudly Crying Face) = Something was so funny you started to cry (can also be used to display shock or surprise).
🥺 (Pleading Face) = Sad, desiring comfort, can be used after expressing something vulnerable. Used to express sadness, whereas the loudly crying face emoji above can be used for sadness, but also disappointment, irony, etc.
😶🌫️ (Face in Clouds) = Hiding, having your head in the clouds about something.
🥲 (Face With Single Tear) = Despair. Used when things are hanging on by a thread. Can also be used when something is so bad/painful it is funny, ‘I accidentally said I love you to my boss at the end of a work call.’
🫣 (Face With Peeking Eye) & 🥸 (Disguised Face) = Hiding oneself after saying something direct to try to soften the message (ex: “I forgot to defrost the chicken like you asked, Mom 🫣”).
🤨 (Face With Raised Eyebrow) = Suspicious.
😗 (Kissing Face) = Casual approval, positive.
🤪 (Zany Face) = Feeling silly, lightens up something disappointing or sad (ex: “Got an F on my algebra final 🤪”).
🤠 (Cowboy Hat Face) = Smiling through the pain. Similar usage to Zany Face.
🤓 (Nerd Face) = Childlike excitement/dorkiness.
🥶 (Cold Face) = Being cold, emotionally and/or physically.
🥴 (Woozy Face) = Unease.
🤭 (Blushing Face, Hand Over Mouth) = Excitement.
🫡 (Saluting Face) = Agreement, a sign of respect. The emoticon version of “Yes, Sir!”
😶 (Face Without Mouth) = At a loss for words.
🫠 (Melting Face) = Overwhelmed, a sinking feeling of dread.
Good to Know
🎯 (Bullseye) = Used to say that something is accurate.
🤡 (Clown) = Describing someone being foolish.
📈📉(Chart Increasing & Chart Decreasing) = Things going well, or poorly (depending on direction of chart).
👀 (Eyes) = Many different meanings, mostly used to display suspicion. Can also be used as a way to inquire for more information (ex: “I heard you and Alex got in a fight 👀”).
👁👄👁 (Eyes & Lips) = A display of shock, recreating a deadpan face.
🔥 (Fire) = Used to say that something is “fire” (meaning good, or cool).
🙏 (Folded Hands) = Used to say thank you.
🫶 (Heart Hands) = Used in place of the traditional ❤ emoji.
💯 (Hundred Points) = Used to signal agreement with something.
👨🦯 (Man With White Cane) = Choosing to make a decision, even if someone knows it’s a bad idea (going in blind to something or ignoring red flags).
🙈 (See-No-Evil Monkey) = Being shy.
✨ (Sparkles) = Used to lighten the mood (ex: “Just spilled my coffee all over my white pants ✨”).
🧎 (Woman Kneeling) = Pleading. A way of asking someone for something desperately.
Not What You Think They Mean
💀 (Skull) = Something was so funny that you died. This is used instead of the laughing crying emoji (😂) by Gen Z/Alpha.
🧢 (Billed Cap) = Derived from the slang word “that’s cap” which refers to calling out someone for telling a lie.
👍 (Thumbs Up) = Seen as outdated, can be used sarcastically to show approval. Can also be passive-aggressive (ex: “Thanks for ruining Sarah’s surprise party 👍”).
🫦 (Lip Bite) = Flirting, is usually sarcastic (ex: “I love when my husband wears cargo shorts 🫦”).
💅 (Nails) = Positive use: used to give affirmation. Negative use: to insinuate a guy is being fruity.
🤰 (Pregnant Woman) = When somebody is so attractive that just seeing them makes you pregnant.
⏳ (Hourglass) = To compliment a woman with an hourglass figure.
❤ (Red Heart) = Used to express love and to soften rejection.
🍑 (Peach) = Butt.
Be Aware Of
🍒 (Cherries) = Boobs, testicles, or virginity.
🍆 (Eggplant) = Male genitalia.
🐱 (Cat) = Female genitalia.
🥵 (Hot Face) = Physical attraction.
💦 (Sweat Droplets) = Can express sexual attraction or refer to sexual fluids.
🌽 (Ear of Corn) = Refers to porn, especially on platforms where the word is banned.
🔫 (Squirt Gun) = Used like a gun emoji (before it was removed), to communicate being upset about something, or someone (ex: “I was on my way to Chick-fil-A but realized it was Sunday 🔫”).
🔪 (Knife) = Similar to a squirt gun, used to add a layer of humor but to show you’re upset about something.
🍃 (Leaf Fluttering in Wind) = This and other green leaf emojis can be used to symbolize marijuana.
Discussion Questions
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What emoji do I use the most?
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If you could make your own emoji, what would it be?
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What is your favorite and least favorite emoji to receive? Why?