emoji

[ ih-moh-jee ]

noun

, plural e·mo·ji, e·mo·jis.

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of emoji¹

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

Example Sentences

When he never returned, though, his relatives began to doubt that he’d actually sent the texts, which were full of punctuation and emoji that the 58-year-old Indianapolis man had never used before.

From Washington Post

He said he was “deep in losses but holding will prevail,” and included the emoji for a rocket and “diamond hands,” the forum’s lingo for not selling when a stock nose-dives.

From Washington Post

This sends notifications to a friend’s phone if they’re off the app, or a flood of colorful emoji if they have the app open.

From TechCrunch

Not only was the mask emoji among the most used, but masks were also an essential part of Tinder bios in India between January and November.

From Quartz

There are new one-time permission approvals for the microphone, camera, and location, new emojis, more work toward modularity, and easier autofill.

From Ars Technica

I can say that this is my first time [using emoji] in an email.

From The Daily Beast

Harris explained to The Daily Beast that he and Senator Udall do not communicate with one another via emoji.

From The Daily Beast

As to whether or not Udall himself uses Emoji, Harris said that he does not.

From The Daily Beast

Katy Perry, "Roar" This video has been anticipated ever since the release of the emoji-filled lyrics.

From The Daily Beast