emoji

American  

[ih-moh-jee] / ɪˈmoʊ dʒi /

noun

plural

emoji, emojis

1. Digital Technology. a small digital picture or pictorial symbol that represents a thing, feeling, concept, etc., used in text messages and other electronic communications and usually part of a standardized set.

   She texted me an emoji of “money with wings,” which probably means she’s out shopping.

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Etymology

Origin of emoji

First recorded in 1990–95; from Japanese: literally, “pictograph,” equivalent to e “picture, drawing” + moji “(written) character, letter”; kaomoji ( def. )

Compare meaning

How does emoji compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• emoticon vs. emoji

Explanation

An emoji is a small icon or picture that represents an object, emotion, or reaction in a text message. On your best friend's birthday, you might text them the birthday cake, balloon, and shooting star emojis. The earliest emojis were available on Japanese cell phones in 1997. These simple pixelated images were modeled on manga art and appeared in shades of gray. Over time, emojis have become more complex and colorful — you can now send emojis that include an ear of corn, a squid, clapping hands, and a pair of scissors. The Japanese emoji translates as "character picture," and was first used in English around 2008.

Example Sentences

Next to the text was an emoji of chains.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

The short video posts on platforms like TikTok show how even just the words "Tokyo, Japan" with a cherry blossom emoji can make an otherwise banal street scene more appealing for some users.

From Barron's • Mar. 24, 2026

“The joke was funny. No harm, no foul! Keep up the great work, we appreciate you!” wrote Fillion, who included a green glove emoji in his message.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2026

Heart emoji on the new additions: “All I know is they’re all going to be more popular than this loser,” pointing to Day.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 15, 2026

I would apologize, but texting “I’m sorry” combined with every emoji in the world isn’t the same as saying it face-to-face.

From "The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas