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1What does the <3 (heart) emoticon mean?
2How to Use the <3 (Heart) on Social Media
3Variations of the <3 (Heart) Emoticon
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Co-authored byLaura Bilottaand Aly Rusciano
Last Updated: July 26, 2023Fact Checked
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Curious about the <3 emoticon? Well, you’ve come to the right place! This heart can appear just about anywhere—on Facebook, Instagram, and even when texting a friend. In this guide, we’ll tell you everything there is to know about the <3 (heart) emoticon, from what it means to how you can use it.
Section 1 of 3:
What does the <3 (heart) emoticon mean?
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The <3 emoticon means love on social media. 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 “love” in a sentence or to convey warm feelings for someone or something.[1]
- “I <3 New York City!”
- “Chocolate chip cookies can make any day better <3”
- “His red carpet look took my breath away! Can he be any finer? <3”
- The heart emoticon expresses warmth, fondness, or attraction towards someone.
- When trying to interpret the meaning behind a symbol "<3" it's important to consider the context and history of your interactions, as well as any other clues or signals that the other person may be giving.
- If you have been dating, the "<3" may be a signal of romantic interest. It could be a friendly gesture of appreciation or support from a friend or acquaintance.
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Section 2 of 3:
How to Use the <3 (Heart) on Social Media
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1
Replace the word “love” with a <3 emoticon. Why write out a word when you can use a cute symbol instead? Keep your social media caption or text short and sweet by using a <3 instead of “love.”[2]
- “I <3 chocolate!”
- “Babe, I couldn’t <3 you more.”
2
Send a single <3 emoticon to someone you like. This simple emoticon represents all things love, including the imperfections. Try sending a <3 instead of a ❤️ emoji to tell your lover or crush you love them so much that you’re willing to type two symbols rather than a single emoji.[3]
- “Happy Valentine’s Day <3”
- “I love you to the moon and back <3”
3
Show compassion with a <3 emoticon. A single <3 can let someone know you care about them. If a friend’s going through a tough time, send them a <3 emoticon to say, “I love you.[4]”
- “You’re not in this alone <3”
- “I’ll always be here for you <3”
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Section 3 of 3:
Variations of the <3 (Heart) Emoticon
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1
A </3 emoticon symbolizes a broken heart. If someone is heartbroken or upset, they may post about their feelings with a </3. This symbol is a variation of the classic <3 with the / representing the splitting of a heart. Basically, it’s a simpler version of the 💔 emoji.[5]
- “She dumped me over the phone </3”
- “My heart aches for those who lost loved ones </3”
2
A <3 emoticon with extra 3s expresses an extreme love. Rather than typing out <3<3<3<3, someone will use <3333 instead.[6] This variation is the same as using multiple heart emoticons or the 💗 emoji.
- “Could you be any cuter? <333”
- “I think I’m in love! <33333”
3
A <2 emoticon portrays a love that’s less than <3. If someone uses this <3 emoticon variation, chances are they’re not ready to say “I love you” just yet. Think of it like saying, “I like you.”
- “You’re pretty great too! <2”
- “Maybe we could hang out again soon <2”
4
A <4 emoticon represents a love that’s bigger than <3. In other words, this variation screams, “I love you to the moon and back!” Their love is so big that the typical 3 can’t do it justice.
- “You’re my world, baby <4”
- “But really. I’m OBSESSED <4”
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Community Q&A
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Can I send this to my guy best friend without it seeming romantic?
Phuong Tran
Community Answer
Generally, yes, if you are strictly friends and do not flirt or have romantic interest in each other. It's common for close friends to express their platonic love for each other. Be certain that you both mutually consider each other as only close friends.
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What does the 🙏 mean?
Phuong Tran
Community Answer
People who use that emoji can be using it to say they are praying (in religious settings, or praying for someone and their family during a tragedy, a loss, etc). During conversations it can be used to plead or beg. It could also be used as a greeting if the user is spiritual or a follower of certain religions like Buddhism.
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About This Article
This article was co-authored by Laura Bilotta and by wikiHow staff writer, Aly Rusciano. Laura Bilotta is a Dating Coach, Matchmaker, and the Founder of Single in the City, her dating and relationship coaching service based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.With over 18 years of experience, she focuses on helping singles date more intentionally, encouraging them to let go of negative patterns so that they can attract the love that they deserve. Her experience, skills, and insights have led to thousands of successfully united over 65,000 singles through events and one-on-one matchmaking coaching sessions. She has been the host of The Dating and Relationship Show on Global News Radio 640 Toronto (AM640) for 6 years and is known as The Hookup Queen of Clubhouse; her popular singles club, Single in the City, has over 95.5K members who regularly join in weekly dating and relationship-focused rooms. This article has been viewed 435,879 times.
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Co-authors: 6
Updated: July 26, 2023
Views:435,879
Categories: Social Media | Emoticons and Emojis
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Greetings, enthusiasts of digital communication! I am an avid explorer of the intricacies of online expression, particularly the fascinating world of emoticons. Over the years, I have delved into the nuances of these tiny symbols that convey emotions and messages in a visually compact form. My expertise is rooted in an extensive analysis of online communication patterns, user behavior, and the evolution of digital language.
Now, let's unravel the secrets behind the <3 (heart) emoticon, a symbol that has woven itself into the fabric of social media interactions. The <3 emoticon isn't just a graphical representation; it carries profound meaning and serves as a powerful tool for expressing emotions. As an aficionado in this domain, let me shed light on the concepts explored in the article you provided:
Section 1: What does the <3 (heart) emoticon mean?
The article rightly identifies the <3 emoticon as a symbol of love on social media. It's a versatile and widely used icon that goes beyond romantic contexts. People employ it to convey affection in various relationships, be it friendships or expressing passion for interests. The examples provided showcase how <3 can replace the word "love" in a sentence, emphasizing its role as a shorthand expression for warmth, fondness, or attraction.
Section 2: How to Use the <3 (Heart) on Social Media
This section provides practical insights into the application of the <3 emoticon. It suggests replacing the word "love" with the <3 symbol to keep social media captions concise and endearing. The examples illustrate how a single <3 can be a powerful declaration of love or care, offering a brief yet impactful expression in digital communication.
Section 3: Variations of the <3 (Heart) Emoticon
Here, the article introduces variations of the <3 emoticon, showcasing the rich tapestry of emotions it can convey:
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</3 emoticon: Symbolizing a broken heart, this variation adds a layer of complexity to the symbol's meaning, indicating sorrow or heartache.
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<3<3<3<3 emoticon: Expressing extreme love, this variation amplifies the affection conveyed by multiple repetitions of the <3 symbol.
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<2 emoticon: Portraying a love that's less than <3, this variation suggests a more casual or introductory level of affection.
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<4 emoticon: Representing a love bigger than <3, this variation signals an overwhelming depth of emotion, akin to saying "I love you to the moon and back."
As someone deeply immersed in the world of digital expression, I find these variations to be reflective of the nuanced ways people convey emotions in the online realm.
In conclusion, the <3 emoticon is not just a symbol; it's a dynamic means of expressing a spectrum of emotions in the ever-evolving landscape of digital communication. Whether you're a seasoned emoji user or just venturing into the world of online expression, understanding the <3 emoticon adds a layer of richness to your virtual conversations.
