One of the great virtues of emojis are their ability to mark tone where plain text cannot. A simple โค๏ธ Red Heart can add affection to a text message. A string of ๐ ๐ ๐ Face With Tears of Joy can show we find something funny in a social media post. Yet in the small space of an emoji, itโs not always so easy to encapsulate the full complexity of our emotions. Consider ๐.
On the Apple keyboard, ๐ shares its raised brows and comma-shaped side-eyes with ๐ Unamused Face, but boasts a half-smile co*cked up to the left instead. ๐ is definitely amused in some way, but how, exactly? Itโs time again for some emojiology.
Above: On Apple's keyboard, the Smirking Face emoji (left) and the Unamused Face emoji (center) share the same eyes but very different smiles. The Smirking Face emoji also has a cat smiley variant (right), Cat Face With Wry Smile.
As its official name reveals, ๐ Smirking Face represents the facial expression of a smirk. Itโs used to communicate a range of feelings, including smugness, self-confidence, self-indulgence, mischief, cheeky humor, and general satisfaction. ๐ Smirking Face especially implies, however, flirtation and sexual innuendo.
#IGotDetentionFor correcting the English teacher's grammar๐
โ Triลityยฐ (@ii4trinity) March 7, 2018
๐ Smirking Face popularly debuted in 2010 with its approval under Unicode 6.0. Apple did include the emoji, though, in its initial implementation of emoji support as part of iPhone OS 2.2 in 2008, though on a limited basis in Japan.
Above: How the Smirking Face emoji displays across platforms. Note that only Mozilla's smiley looks straight ahead.
Wedged between ๐ Face With Rolling Eyes and ๐ฃ Persevering Face, ๐ Smirking Face bears some notable similaritiesโand contrastsโon different keyboards.
Across the major platforms, the character sports a knowing smile upturned to the faceโs left, though its length and sharpness widely vary. The smiles on Google and Microsoftโs ๐ Smirking Face, for instance, have softer curves, portraying a shyer, kinder-seeming smiley. LG and Facebook leave out eyebrows, while Mozilla alone depicts eyes looking straight ahead; the rest of the smileys squint impishly to their left.
๐ Smirking Face christened Twitter in May 2011, and skyrocketed on social media later that summer with Appleโs release of OS X Lion, which supported emoji for its desktop computers.
In 2015, Snapchat thrust ๐ Smirking Face into further prominence when it launched Friend Emojis, a feature designed to help users manage their contacts on the messaging app by using emoji to symbolize friendship statuses. Among them was the ๐ Smirking Face, which means: โYou are one of their best friendsโฆbut they are not a best friend of yours. You donโt send them many snaps, but they send you a lot.โ With its ๐ Smirking Face, Snapchat implies the messaging imbalance is a dirty little secret the favored friend can take some pleasure in.
Some Snapchatters greeted the change with a ๐ Smirking Face:
The new snapchat update gives me another reason to love this emoji ๐
โ C a i t l i n เฅ (@Caitlin0Sanders) April 6, 2015
Others gave it the ole ๐ Unamused Face:
I feel rly uncomfortable with the new snapchat update there is a "๐" emoji next to a conversation with my mum wtf ????
โ emily (@emilypugh_) April 6, 2015
Snapchat may have made @emilypugh_ feel โuncomfortableโ because of ๐ Smirking Face's increasing use to signal flirtation or punctuate suggestive remarks in internet dating culture in the late 2010s.
In 2017, Clover analyzed emoji behavior on its dating app, and the ๐ Smirking Face ranked among the top emojis that users were likely to reply to on the platformโ#4 for women and #1 for men.
The ๐ Smirking Face was also a top emoji men liked to send, according to Clover. That overeager use may have helped sully the smileyโs associations with sleazy come-ons or cheesy pickup lines in dating apps and private/direct messages. One tweeter summed up such unwelcome emoji advances:
Some guy I don't know messaged me on Facebook saying "Hey ๐" then *____sent a photo* then "You know you like it, just accept it." Definitely not opening that chat.
โ Emmy Davis (@YCemmy96) January 11, 2018
๐ Smirking Face exhibits meanings as many and as subtle as the complex facial expression that inspired itโhence it also answers to the names Flirting, Sexual Face, Smug Face, or Suggestive Smile emoji.
Letโs highlight some of the diverse shades of ๐ Smirking Face.
This self-satisfied ๐ Smirking Face is too cool for school:
Too cool for lame dudes to ridicule. ๐
โ Don Greene (@Goin4Gusto) July 16, 2011
While this ๐ Smirking Face basks in some due pride and accomplishment:
I am coming...#Workout done ๐#KBWeightlossjourney pic.twitter.com/E4J6oKB3KA
โ KBSOUTHAFRICA (@kbsouthafrica) March 8, 2018
๐ Smirking Face can bob the head, as if to say โnot too shabbyโ:
Pretty good feeling when the instructor could tell that I was a law student from the way I spoke/read and was impressed by it. Not too shabby ๐
โ Kristen Alyssa (@krissylove) March 1, 2018
Or a sly โI know a secretโ:
I know something you donโt know. ๐
Stay tuned. pic.twitter.com/PA8zhcHm6U
โ VINCINT (@VINCINT_) February 1, 2018
YouTube star Jack Merridew is being a little naughty, if not kinky, with his ๐ Smirking Face:
Anybody have any questions for a bathtub Q&A? ๐#AskJackM Make them juicy
โ Jack Merridew (@OfficialJackM) March 8, 2018
While @YeaaahKevin, here, drops a coquettish, but cute, ๐ Smirking Face:
Katy Perry is single? Shaaawdy @katyperry. ๐
โ Kevo (@YeaaahKevin) December 30, 2011
Landon Mossโs ๐ Smirking Face marks a joke that is clever but true:
Yโall had enough Steveโs I think itโs time for a Stephon ๐ https://t.co/WzMbEGv13Q
โ LโChalla Moss (@_LandonMoss) March 8, 2018
Officer Edithโs ๐ Smirking Face is all about some good-natured silliness:
"You're not going to post those anywhere are you?"
"No, no, just documenting the scene is all.
๐" pic.twitter.com/zhc155U6E4
โ Officer Edith (@OfficerEdith) March 8, 2018
Others treat themselves to some indulgent self-care with ๐ Smirking Face:
Time To Treat MySelfโค
Getting My Hair Did & Doing Some Shopping This Weekend๐
โ Vanessa Meza (@AleAle_jaandra) March 8, 2018
With a snap of the finger gun and a chick-chick out of the corner of the mouth, ๐ Smirking Face can also trigger the delight of โThis is what Iโm talking aboutโ ๐ Smirking Face:
My dad came in clutch with the snacks ๐
โ Kay (@KayyAntoine) February 25, 2018
And many, many, many fans of K-pop sprinkle their affection for their favorite stars with ๐ Smirking Face:
You are art, bae โค๐#GeniusYoongiDay #HappyAgustDday @BTS_Peru @BTS_twt pic.twitter.com/mAZ8Y4fUHN
โ Briggitte Dayanna (@kpop192003) March 8, 2018
As weโve seen, ๐ Smirking Face is widely used to communicate an array of sentiments. The emoji can be just what we need to mic-drop a wisecrack or spice up some banter, but its ambiguity can cause some awkwardness.
Be particularly mindful of its negative and suggestive connotations when using ๐ Smirking Face, especially as its appearance varies across platforms. One person might see ๐ Smirking Face as an innocent smile or friendly wink while another might interpret it as conceited, untoward, or even lewd.
And remember, for all the similarities in their eyes, ๐ Smirking Face is not the same as ๐ Unamused Face.
To avoid any โuncomfortableโ miscommunications, consider pairing ๐ Smirking Face with, well, ๐ Face With Tears of Joy if intending humor or โค๏ธ Red Heart, if romance. Perhaps ๐ Smiling Face With Sunglasses, which often accompanies ๐ Smirking Face, can help more clearly maintain the sense of cleverness or contentment.
Or try ๐ Smirking Face's less loaded feline counterpart, ๐ผ Cat Face With Wry Smile. We all know cats are unmistakably smug ๐๐๐.
FAQs
It's used to communicate a range of feelings, including smugness, self-confidence, self-indulgence, mischief, cheeky humor, and general satisfaction. ๐ Smirking Face especially implies, however, flirtation and sexual innuendo.
How do you respond to ๐? โบ
Send the same thing back. Reply with a ๐ of your own if you want to mirror their sass or sexy energy. This will signal to the person you're talking to that you're both on the same page.
What does the smirk face emoji mean? โบ
Adding this emoji to a text indicates you are flirting or sending a suggestive message. On social media it can also mean you are feeling smug and self-satisfied because you just did something baller.
What does this face mean ๐ฅด from a girl? โบ
Meaning widely varies, but commonly conveys intoxication or infatuation. Its dazed expression may also represent such feelings or states as bewilderment, irritation, disgust, exhaustion, wackiness, or complete satisfaction.
What does ๐ฆ mean in slang? โบ
The ๐ฆ emoji means "Apes together strong." This is a quote from the 2011 film Rise of the Planet of the Apes. The quote was adopted on Reddit as a motto for ordinary people who band together to make money off the stock market.
What is the meaning of ๐ from a girl? โบ
What does Face Throwing a Kiss emoji ๐ mean? Smooch! Mwah! The winky-kissy face throwing a kiss emoji, or kissing face, is mostly used to express romantic affection or appreciation for someone or something.
How do you respond to emoji ๐? โบ
How to Reply to a Smiley Face Text
- Figure out which smiley was used.
- Send a smiley face back.
- Step it up with a flirty emoji.
- Send a string of emojis.
- Send a picture or selfie.
- Text a GIF in response.
- Change the subject.
- Comment on the smiley face.
Is it rude to reply with an emoji? โบ
Personal texts and emails โ emoji use is OK: When a person is having a casual conversation with a friend or family member, using emojis is totally acceptable. In fact, this might be the prime time for emoji usage and including them often even enhances the conversation by adding tone and clarity.
Is smirk a good thing? โบ
A smirk is a kind of smile, but it's not a friendly smileโit's often a sarcastic or arrogant one or one that's intended to provoke or irritate the person who sees it. Smirk is also a verb that means to smile in such a way.
What are flirty Emojis? โบ
- The iconic wink ๐ You can't go wrong with a classic winky face emoji. ...
- The eyes ๐ It's true: Your eyes really say so much. ...
- The purple, devil-y smiley face ๐ ...
- The pleading, I'm-begging-for-you emoji ...
- The smirk ๐ ...
- The wink and tongue combo ๐ ...
- The not-so-subtle, but totally-flirty hug ๐ค ...
- The peach booty ๐
They're goofing around with you. In a flirty message, the ๐ emoji can carry the same weight as ๐ and ๐. So if they start sending a bunch of ๐ in a row, they're probably trying to keep things light, playful, and flirty.
What does this emoji mean ๐
๐? โบ
When you're feeling flirty and playful, you can send the ๐
emoji to show your partner that you're in the mood for some sexting. Pair ๐
with other emojis like ๐ (eggplant), ๐ (peach), ๐ฎ (taco), and ๐ฆ (sweat droplets) to make it clear that you're referencing oral sex with your partner.
What does ๐ฎ ๐จ mean? โบ
๐ฎโ๐จ Face Exhaling emoji
The Face Exhaling emoji ๐ฎโ๐จ depicts a face blowing a puff of air. The emoji is used to represent feelings of exhaustion, smoking, and exhaling a big sigh.
What does ๐ mean from a guy? โบ
Instead of using a โค๏ธ, they may use a ๐. This is a cute and unique way to show love and affection. If your partner sends you a single ๐, it could be them saying, โI love you.โ โYou're the best๐โ โI love you to the moon and back๐โ
What does ๐ mean from a boy? โบ
๐ง โ Oral sex. ๐ฆ โ ejacul*tion. ๐
โ May indicate sexual activity, especially oral sex.
What does ๐ฅฉ mean in slang? โบ
Emoji Meaning
A cut of uncooked red meat, as a T-bone or rib-eye steak, with the light, white marbling of fat. May be used for sexual slang. Cut of Meat was approved as part of Unicode 10.0 in 2017 and added to Emoji 5.0 in 2017.
What does ๐ mean on text? โบ
The Leaf Fluttering in the Wind emoji ๐ has a variety of straightforward uses when referring to things such as plants, trees, windy days, or nice weather. However, the Leaf Fluttering in the Wind emoji ๐ is also commonly used to refer to marijuana, smoking marijuana cigarettes, and/or getting high on marijauna.
How do girls fall for you? โบ
They desire a sincere, family-oriented, honest, trustworthy, and respectful man. A woman often looks for a man who will treat her with love, care, and respect without drama. Hence, if you want your crush to fall in love, show your best personality to her.
What emoji means woman? โบ
Who uses ๐ฉ Woman emoji? On social media or in texts, the Woman emoji ๐ฉ is occasionally used alone to signify an adult woman and with other person-based emoji, like Man ๐จ and Girl ๐ง, to talk about family. She appears in romantic relationships as well, such as the Kiss: Woman, Woman emoji ๐ฉโโค๏ธโ๐โ๐ฉ.
How do you cheek a girl? โบ
Remember not to actually kiss the person on the cheek. Instead, gently rest your cheek against theirs and kiss the air. There are a select few individuals who insist on kissing others square on the cheek, leaving you to peck the air miles away from their face, but thankfully such experiences are far and few between.
Send emojis back.
Maybe that's a few โ๐โ of your own, or a โ๐โ if you're feeling flirty. If you're texting your girlfriend or boyfriend, reply with a โ๐คโ or โ๐โ for a not-so-subtle flirt. If you're texting a friend, try sending them some โ๐โ or โ๐โ to be silly back.
Do people flirt with emojis? โบ
Not always, but emojis are a great way to flirt.
However, some emojis do signify flirting. A strategically placed ๐ or ๐ emoji can tell someone you're into them. To flirt, text something like, โI liked your outfit today ๐,โ or โWe should study together sometime ๐.โ
Is ๐ค a hug? โบ
The ๐ค emoji is a hug.
The ๐ค emoji depicts an affectionate, friendly face reaching out to you with both arms like they're hugging you. Like an IRL hug, the meaning depends on your relationship with the other person.
What emoji does ๐ค mean? โบ
๐ค Hugging Face features a warm smile and, on most platforms, hands with its palms facing out, intended to depict the act of hugging. As such, the emoji can express thanks, support, love, care, and other positive, affectionate feelings.
How do you respond to ๐ฏ emoji? โบ
If this emoji was sent as a supportive bit of reassurance or motivation, tell them you appreciate it. A simple โThanks!โ will suffice. If the ๐ฏ came at the end of a longer note of encouragement, you can elaborate a bit. Reply with a ๐ค, ๐ช, ๐ฅ, or ๐ if they're being ironic.
Is sending an emoji cheating? โบ
Examples of micro-cheating include checking the social media accounts of former partners; sending emoji such as hearts and flowers to people other than partners; and saving mobile phone contact details of a friend of the opposite sex under a false name.
Why do people smirk in psychology? โบ
They may have a psychological need to externalize something in their inner world. For example, an emotion they feel unable to contain like joy, fear or anger. Or they may intend, consciously, to show the rest of us a particular expression, knowing the message that we are likely to infer.
Which is more positive smirk or smile? โบ
Which is more positive smirk or smile? A smirk is often associated with a negative feeling of the wearer. A grin is more positive or could be a silly smile. A person who has a smirk could be concealing something, could have said something derragatory or could depict arrogance.
What happens during smirking? โบ
If you smirk, you smile in an unpleasant way, often because you believe that you have gained an advantage over someone else or know something that they do not know.
What emoji means you have a crush? โบ
๐ An emoji with heart eyes to say you're totally smitten.
If you've been hit by Cupid's arrow, don't be afraid to admit it! Your honesty will probably be super refreshing, and it might be just what your crush needs to hear to take the next big step in deepening your connection.
Saying "I love you" can be hard. But sending a heart emoji? No problemo!
...
- โค๏ธ: Red Heart. If any emoji has oomph, it's this one. ...
- ๐ป: Smiling Cat with Heart Eyes. ...
- 2.5 ๐: Smiling Face with Heart Eyes. ...
- ๐: Face Blowing a Kiss. ...
- ๐: Two Hearts. ...
- ๐ค: Black Heart. ...
- All the colored hearts. ...
- ๐: Beating heart.
Which emoji means I love you? โบ
โค๏ธ (Red Heart) Emoji
It's the universal text symbol for love. If he finishes a text with a โค๏ธ, he's saying, โI love you.โ Send a โค๏ธ emoji back if you love him too. If you're not ready to send a โค๏ธ emoji just yet, reply with a ๐ emoji.
What does good flirting look like? โบ
They are interested in what you have to say and ask you lots of questions. They laugh at your jokes, even the lame ones. They initiate physical contact. They try to find space where you can talk more privately (this does not always mean sex, but it often means they wish for more quality time with you).
Why do men flirt? โบ
Men flirt for six reasons: to get sex, to explore what it would be like to be in a relationship, to try to get something, to strengthen a relationship, to increase self-esteem, and to have fun. This information is the product of research published in Sex Roles and applies equally to married and unmarried men.
What does ๐ mean in text? โบ
This goofy and lovable tongue-out emoji is a great way to say, โI'm so excited!โ With its happy mouth and open eyes, the ๐ emoji represents the feeling of being so excited that all you can do is stick out your tongue.
What does ๐ฅ mean in text? โบ
The Brief: The peanuts emoji ๐ฅ is often used as an innuendo for ejacul*tion/org*sm.
What does ๐ ๐จ mean? โบ
The ๐ emoji is usually a stand in for weed on TikTok.
If you see the ๐ emoji popping up on TikTok, especially if it's paired with the ๐จ emoji (used as a symbol for smoke), there's a good chance it has something to do with weed. โ#๐๐จโ
What does ๐ถ ๐ซ mean? โบ
๐ถโ๐ซ๏ธ Face in Clouds
A face that appears surrounded by clouds or a haze of smoke. Ambiguous in appearance, this may represent a foggy state of mind, confusion, or even a sense of calm bliss. May also be used to indicate the presence of smoke.
How do u know a guy likes u? โบ
He leans toward you during conversation.
People tend to naturally lean toward people they like in conversation, according to Battle. If the guy you like tends to lean his face in closer to yours while he's talking to you or listening to you talk, that's a good sign that he might be into you.
How do you know if a guy feel for you? โบ
You know a man has feelings for you when he slowly tries to include you in his plans. It's no longer about hanging out or having a date. You'll notice how much he tries to invite you into his world. You'll meet his friends, family, even workmates.
He Makes You a Priority
If your guy is serious about the relationship, usually, he will go out of his way to make you a priority. He will plan things with you for the weekend and during the week too. The bottom line is, if he makes you a priority in his life, then you can be rest assured that he's pretty serious.
What does โค mean in texting from a girl? โบ
It can be used to express gratitude, love, happiness, hope, or even flirtatiousness.
What does an upside down :-) mean from a girl? โบ
๐ Upside-Down Face emoji
It can indicate silliness, sarcasm, irony, passive aggression, or frustrated resignation. Outside of these, this emoji can be used for even still more ambiguous emotions.
What does a bracket mean in texting? โบ
Brackets are symbols that we use to contain "extra information", or information that is not part of the main content.
How do you know if a shy girl likes you but is hiding it? โบ
21 Signs A Shy Girl Likes You
- She Goes Out Of Her Way To Help You. ...
- She Smiles A Lot Around You. ...
- You May Catch Her Checking You Out. ...
- She Acts Differently Around You. ...
- She Will Always Lean Your Way. ...
- She Tries To Lengthen The Conversation. ...
- She Laughs When You Crack A Joke. ...
- She's Quite Interactive On Social Media.
How do you know if someone secretly loves you? โบ
Signs He Secretly Loves You
- He Craves Quality Time With You. This is probably one of the main signs he secretly loves you. ...
- He Can't Stop Staring At You. ...
- He Remembers the Tiniest Details About You. ...
- He Always Tries to Impress You. ...
- He Barely Uses His Phone While Around You. ...
- He Includes You in His Future Plans, Always.
What means ๐? โบ
Two or more silver paper clips linked together, generally forming an inverted V. Microsoft's design displays three paper clips. Occasionally used to represent school/office supplies or metaphorical connections. Also sometimes used as an icon before a hyperlink. Not to be confused with ๐ Link or โ๏ธ Chains.
What emojis will a girl send if she likes you? โบ
Two revolving hearts ๐
She's more likely to use these in the early stages of flirting to show that she really likes you. She might also send two static hearts, which are less popular for romantic texts and commonly used in friendships. When in doubt, just mirror her emoji usage and send two revolving hearts (๐) back.
How do you know if a girl wants to be with you in text? โบ
How to Tell if a Girl Likes You Over Text
- She responds quickly. ...
- She flirts back. ...
- She keeps the conversation going. ...
- She shares personal information about her life. ...
- She initiates conversations. ...
- She sends you memes all the time. ...
- She teases you. ...
- She doesn't leave you hanging.
What does this mean <3? โบ
This cute symbol is most commonly used to discuss romantic relationships, friendships, or passions when texting, tweeting, or posting. Someone may use a <3 to replace the word โloveโ in a sentence or to convey warm feelings for someone or something.
An upside down heart is symbolic of a relationship that is upside down, or messed up.
What causes an upside down smile? โบ
Inverted Smile
The teeth may in face not be worn but, for various reasons, have either shifted or drifted, causing the smiles in question to go down, rather than up, at the corners. The problem is that their upper molars are longer than their front teeth. In a normal smile, the upper lip lifts, creating convexity.
What does J mean in texting? โบ
It's actually fairly simple: /J means โjokingโ while /HJ means โhalf-joking.โ It appears that the millennial abbreviation JK โ or โjust kiddingโ โ wasn't cutting it.
What does FSO mean in texting? โบ
Friday Shout Out. FSO. Familles Sang et Or (French: Blood and Gold Families; Belgium) showing only Slang/Internet Slang definitions (show all 72 definitions)
When to use {}? โบ
Brackets are used to insert explanations, corrections, clarifications, or comments into quoted material. Brackets are always used in pairs; you must have both an opening and a closing bracket. Do not confuse brackets [ ] with parentheses ( ).