emoticon

American  

[ih-moh-ti-kon] / ɪˈmoʊ tɪˌkɒn /

noun

Digital Technology.

1. a digital icon or a sequence of keyboard symbols that serves to represent a facial expression, as :‐) for a smiling face. Emoticons are used in a digital message or text to convey the writer’s emotions or clarify intent.

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emoticon British  

/ ɪˈməʊtɪˌkɒn /

noun

1. any of several combinations of symbols used in electronic mail and text messaging to indicate the state of mind of the writer, such as :-) to express happiness

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Etymology

Origin of emoticon

First recorded in 1985–90; emot(ion) + icon

Compare meaning

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

• emoticon vs. emoji

Explanation

An emoticon is a typed series of characters that resembles a facial expression and expresses some emotion. You might use an emoticon in an email, a text message, or in an explanation of the word emoticon :) . Most emoticons are flipped on their side, like the classic smiley face emoticon, which looks like this: :-) or like this: :) and expresses happiness or playfulness. If you want to send a subtle message like "Just kidding," or "Ha ha," you might use a winking emoticon like this one: ;). Emoticons help lend a specific tone or mood to a message. The word emoticon, a combination of emotion and icon, first appeared in 1994.

Example Sentences

Mr. Musk replied on Friday with an emoticon of a bull’s-eye, indicating he thought the user was right on target.

From Washington Times • Dec. 16, 2022

The line was followed by a winking emoticon.

From New York Times • Nov. 4, 2021

“And here you can’t even remove one fool,” Lutsenko laments, using a sad-face emoticon as he again appeared to push for Yovanovitch’s ouster.

From Washington Post • Jan. 27, 2020

If they write “Mrs.” in an email, I correct them in my response with a winky-face emoticon.

From Slate • Nov. 7, 2019

Sitting there in just a bathing suit, not really thinking about anything, Cade became curious about the emoticon scar along my spine.

From "100 Sideways Miles" by Andrew Smith