emoticon

[ ih-moh-ti-kon ]

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.

emoticon

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of emoticon¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of emoticon¹

C20: from emot ( ion ) + icon

Example Sentences

In Facebook Messenger for iOS, for instance, tap the emoticon button on the right then the GIF icon to search for or scroll through available images.

From Popular-Science

The only visual feedback a player is likely to see are a series of emoticons that are native to the broader Discord interface — when you encounter the vaunted Ancient Dragon, for example, a purple chibi dragon head appears in the chat box.

From Washington Post

Deaf signers punctuate their signed sentences with laughter, much like emoticons in written text.

From No Straight News

“Pornstar status” with an OK-sign emoticon and “FAMOUS for dayzzzzzzz” were her last two tweets.

From The Daily Beast

It was like an alien emoticon, and it creeped me the hell out.

From The Daily Beast

Up in my little chat window popped the biggest emoticon I have ever seen.

From The Daily Beast

An ‘F you’ ring in 18-karat gold with diamonds or a fist emoticon in 18-karat gold and diamonds.

From The Daily Beast