Emojis enhance the chatting experience by helping you express your feelings more accurately. Due to the sheer number of emojis, it’s pretty challenging to keep up with all their meanings. Here’s a list of major emojis used in online communication to help you use each correctly.
Emoji Meanings for the iPhone
Since there are currently more than 3,000 emojis available on iPhone, you’re unlikely to use all of them when texting. Here are the meanings of the most popular emojis you’ll probably start using daily.
Face With Tears of Joy
This emoji is so popular it was named the Oxford Dictionaries Word of the Year in 2015. It’s widely used to indicate something is amusing to the point of tears. It has a similar counterpart—Rolling on the Floor Laughing Face—which conveys intense, hysterical laughter.
Smiling Face With Heart-Eyes
This emoji is an insanely popular choice that signifies enthusiastic affection or love for someone or something.
Smiling Face With Smiling Eyes
This emoji expresses warm feelings, genuine happiness, and humility. It’s a better choice than the Slightly Smiling Face, which has adopted somewhat of a condescending and passive-aggressive tone.
Loudly Crying Face
The Loudly Crying Face emoji is used for intense feelings, typically inconsolable grief or overwhelming joy.
Smiling Face With Sunglasses
This emoji looks cool and means just the same. It can also express confidence or a carefree attitude.
The Three Wise Monkeys
These monkeys represent the proverb, “See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.” The See-No-Evil monkey is great when you can’t believe what you’re seeing or reading. The Hear-No-Evil Monkey will help indicate you don’t want to hear more of someone’s story. The Speak-No-Evil Monkey is the embodiment of “Oops!”
Pleading Face
Despite being added relatively recently, this emoji has become a fan favorite. One look at its huge “puppy eyes” and you’ll know why. Use this emoji when asking for a special favor, when touched by a loving gesture, or when something adorable comes your way.
Face Screaming in Fear
The name of this emoji is pretty self-explanatory. It’s not necessarily used only for fear. You can use it to express intense excitement, shock, or awe.
Smirking Face
Did you say anything smug, sly, or mischievous? Follow it up with a Smirking Face emoji. Keep in mind this emoji can also convey flirtation.
Winking Face
This emoji can set different tones, depending on the context. You can use it jokingly, but it can also have a suggestive or ironic undertone.
Neutral Face
Although intended to represent a neutral feeling, this emoji is frequently used to express mild irritation or concern.
Grimacing Face
Has someone written something embarrassing or awkward? The Grimacing Face emoji perfectly captures the “yikes” reaction.
Enraged Face
The person you’re texting can’t see how mad their statement made you feel. This emoji expresses intense feelings of rage or hate. If you deem swearing the only appropriate reaction, throw a Face with Symbols Over Mouth into the mix.
Nauseated Face
Sure, you can talk about someone’s physical illness using this emoji. But you can also express your intense disgust for something.
Exploding Head
Have you just heard something mind-blowing? The Exploding Head emoji is the perfect reaction. It can also represent shock and disbelief.
Hundred Points
This emoji usually stands for keeping it 100, which means staying truthful and authentic. You can also use it to strongly agree with a statement or an action.
Eyes
In business communication, this emoji indicates you’re looking at a file or project at the moment. It has a more risqué meaning on social media. It usually indicates approval of an attractive photo or indicates a deceitful act.
Skull
The Skull emoji indicates a figurative death, usually from extreme frustration or laughter. Gen Z has added another sentiment to the list – extreme embarrassment.
Clown Face
This emoji is another Gen Z favorite. It’s used for people who act foolishly. You can also use it to express you’ve been played or fooled by someone.
Emoji Meanings Hearts
There’s no shortage of heart emojis if you want to send your love via a message. There’s a heart variant for every occasion and person in your life. Let’s explore the most prevalent heart emojis and their meanings.
Red Heart
Hands down, this is the most popular heart emoji across various platforms. It’s typically used to denote love and romance.
This heart also has a similar counterpart known as Heart Suit. Initially intended to represent a symbol for card games, many users became more fond of this emoji than the classic red heart. The Heart Suit has a matte appearance and a slightly darker shade. It’s usually used to express love, affection, and romance.
Two Hearts
Why have one heart when you can have two? Since the smaller heart is seemingly soaring into the sky, this emoji usually sends the message that love is in the air.
Colored Hearts
Colored heart emojis are frequently used together in a rainbow-like display. Users reach for these hearts when they fear a red heart might send too strong a message. Your heart choices include these colors.
- Purple
- Blue
- Yellow
- Green
- Orange
- Brown
Some heart emojis have become symbols of a particular topic across social media. The Purple Heart is associated with the Korean boy band sensation BTS. The Green Heart emoji is reserved for their fellow band NCT.
Some brands have coopted the Blue Heart emoji for communication on social media due to its neutral color. The Brown Heart can be seen in discussions where topics of racial identity arise.
White Heart
The White Heart is one of the recent additions to the heart emoji assortment. It’s commonly used when discussing someone who’s passed away. In these cases, it’s usually paired with a Dove emoji.
Black Heart
Despite the somewhat morbid color, the Black Heart emoji is frequently used to express love and affection. It was a welcome addition for people who find the typical hearts too cheesy. This emoji also expresses feelings more typically associated with black, such as sorrow.
Broken Heart
No other heart can match the meaning of this emoji, which is hurt caused by a loved one or the ache you feel when missing someone.
Growing Heart
This emoji features three hearts, with the smaller ones inside a larger heart. This placement gives an impression of a heart increasing in size. It typically means that the sender is moved or emotional.
Beating Heart
Due to the movement lines around this heart, it looks like it’s beating. It’s best used to convey that your heart is fluttering with emotion.
Emoji Meanings in Snapchat
With its many acronyms and hashtags, it might seem like Snapchat users communicate in a secret code. Emojis are no different, as each otherwise regular emoji has a special meaning on this platform. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
Baby
A Baby emoji next to a user’s name signifies that you’ve just become a Snapchat friend with them.
Yellow Heart
A Yellow Heart next to a Snapchat contact denotes the person you snap with the most, and who also snaps you back the most. If you keep the streak going for two consecutive weeks, the yellow heart will transform into a Red Heart emoji.
Two Hearts
If there’s a Two Hearts emoji next to your Snapchat contact, you two have been Snapchat #1 best friends for two consecutive months.
Smiling Face
You exchange a lot of snaps with this user, making them your best friend on Snapchat. However, they still need to work their way up to the number one spot.
Face With Sunglasses
If a user has this emoji next to their name, you have a mutual best friend on Snapchat. You both exchange a lot of snaps with the same person. If your #1 best friend becomes their #1 best friend as well, the emoji will turn into a Grimacing Face emoji.
Smirking Face
This user sends you a lot of snaps, but you’re not as generous with your responses. You’re one of their best friends on Snapchat, but they aren’t yours.
Gold Star
A Gold Star next to a user’s name means someone has replayed their story in the past 24 hours.
Fire
A Fire emoji next to a user’s name means you’re on a Snapstreak with them; you’ve exchanged snaps daily. There’s a number next to the emoji to indicate the total number of days the streak has been going on. Once you get to 100 days, the emoji will turn into a Hundred Points emoji.
Hourglass
The Hourglass emoji means your streak with that user is about to end.
Birthday Cake
This emoji appears next to a Snapchat friend celebrating their birthday if they’ve chosen to enable that feature.
Emoji Meanings Hands
When you’re not talking to someone in person, you’re missing a vital element of non-verbal communication – gestures. These hand emojis can help you convey your intended message more precisely.
Waving Hand
The Waving Hand emoji is the perfect way to say hi or hello or say bye in a friendly manner.
OK Hand
If everything’s fine or you want to agree with someone’s statement or suggestion without using words, the OK Hand emoji is a perfect choice.
Pinched Fingers
A recent addition to the emoji list, the Pinched Fingers emoji is associated with an Italian gesture denoting disagreement or frustration. This emoji has acquired another meaning, far more prevalent across social media, and it is “chef’s kiss.” It means something is exceptionally good.
Crossed Fingers
This emoji is ideal for wishing someone luck. You can also use it to convey you’re hoping for a favorable outcome in an important event.
Clapping Hands
Besides the somewhat obvious congratulatory meaning, this emoji can be used to emphasize words. Put a Clapping Hand emoji at each end of the statement you want to be heard loud and clear. Multiple consecutive Clapping Hand emojis denote a round of applause.
Handshake Emoji
This emoji conveys agreement or consensus.
Folded Hands
Someone declared that this emoji is meant to convey a high five. While you’re free to use emojis as you please, the Folded Hands emoji is primarily used for prayer. It’s also commonly used to express gratitude.
Raising Hands
Two hands raised in the air are typically used to express success or celebrate joyous news.
Raised Fist
A fist raised in the air is regularly used as a celebratory gesture. Depending on the occasion, it can symbolize resistance, defiance, pride, power, or solidarity.
Nail Polish
While you can always use this emoji after a nail appointment, the Nail Polish emoji has taken on a more sassy meaning. You can use it to express that you’re unbothered, nonchalant, or indifferent, and want it to be known.
Flexed Biceps
Besides the somewhat obvious meaning of working out, you can use the Flexed Biceps emoji to indicate strength and endurance. It’s a perfect show of support when your loved one has accomplished something challenging or worked hard to achieve a goal.
An Emoji Is Worth a Thousand Words
Thanks to the abundance of cute and lively emojis, it’s hard to imagine there was ever a time they weren’t a part of the conversation. Now that you’re familiar with the meanings of the most important and helpful emojis, you can express your true feelings on every occasion, using few to no words.
What is your favorite emoji? Has the meaning of an emoji from our list surprised you? Let us know in the comments section below.
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As an enthusiast and expert in digital communication and linguistics, I've extensively delved into the world of emojis, their evolution, and their multifaceted meanings across various platforms and cultures. My familiarity with the topic spans from the inception of emojis to their contemporary usage in different social contexts.
The article you've provided offers a comprehensive breakdown of numerous emojis, detailing their interpretations and significance in online communication. I'll touch on the concepts embedded within this text:
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Emoji Meanings for the iPhone: It delineates popular emojis on the iPhone and their nuanced interpretations. It covers emotions like joy, love, sadness, fear, mischief, and more, illustrating how each emoji can convey varied sentiments.
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Emoji Meanings Hearts: This section explores heart emojis, elucidating how these symbols represent diverse forms of love, emotions, and sentiments. It also highlights the cultural associations and additional meanings attributed to colored hearts.
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Emoji Meanings in Snapchat: It provides insight into how emojis on Snapchat have specific meanings, indicating user relationships, frequency of interaction, and streaks, offering a unique communication layer within the platform.
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Emoji Meanings Hands: This segment focuses on hand emojis, elucidating their role in non-verbal communication, showcasing greetings, agreements, expressions of hope, congratulations, and more, adding depth to digital conversations.
The article captures the dynamic nature of emojis, reflecting how these tiny icons have evolved beyond mere pictorial representations to convey nuanced emotions, social cues, and even establish hierarchies within certain platforms.
My expertise in this realm extends to understanding the cultural nuances and shifts in the interpretation of emojis, their usage in different digital environments, and their role in shaping modern communication, emphasizing the importance of visual language in online interactions.
