If there is one thing that emoji most assuredly are not, it is subtle. The ever popular Loudly Crying Face emoji 😭 and Face with Tears of Joy emoji 😂 are two prime examples of that. When someone uses an emoji—or 10—in a text or on social media, it’s obvious what they mean. Right?
Not always. Emoji can be a lot more sly than we give them credit for. Some emoji have meanings that aren’t apparent at first glance, and that seemingly innocent text may have more going on than you first thought. If you’ve ever wondered why that Skull emoji 💀 popped up under a funny meme or why someone responded to a questionable hot take with a Thinking Face emoji 🤔, this is just the roundup for you! … And yes, the Eggplant 🍆 and Peach emoji 🍑 are here too.
Smirking Face emoji 😏
If you know, you know. The Smirking Face emoji 😏 often appears when someone is using innuendo or euphemisms. They don’t want to come right out and say what they mean, so this emoji is a wink and a nudge to clue you in that something more is going on. In more obvious cases, this emoji may appear alongside frisky adult emoji.
Example:
That one scene with Keanu Reeves in The Devil’s Advocate. If you know you know. 😏
— MG (@beatlejuiceMG) February 9, 2024
Lewd emoji
Speaking of which… Didn’t expect a whole category for this one, did you? Well, we’re just going to get these not-work-safe emoji out of the way. There are quite a few emoji out there used to represent adult topics, desirable body parts, or someone getting “excited” by spicy content. Common favorites you probably already know about include Eggplant emoji 🍆, Peach emoji 🍑, Tongue emoji 👅, Hot Face emoji 🥵, Hourglass emoji ⏳, and Sweat Droplets emoji 💦. You can use your imagination to figure out what contexts might provoke these, because we are ready to move on to our next emoji.
Examples: You are on your own.
Eyes emoji 👀
The Eyes emoji 👀 is a pretty versatile emoji and can convey a wide range of meanings. It can be used alongside something that is surprising or eye-catching. It could be used alongside something that is disturbing or hard to look away from. It could be used to mean something is scandalous. It can be used for emphasis to draw attention to something. But it can also be used to represent a side eye! (And, of course, it can be used alongside the lewd emoji to mean someone is very attractive.)
Example:
I’m hearing that the Denver Nuggets play basketball tonight. Can anyone confirm??? 👀
— Ethical Hoops🏆 (only takes Ws) (@EthicalHoopz) February 12, 2024
Thinking Face emoji 🤔
Hmmmm, now what could the Thinking Face emoji 🤔 mean? As it turns out, it is often used passive aggressively—a common occurrence in the world of emoji, actually. Often, the Thinking Face emoji 🤔 is used to express doubt or skepticism. It may also indicate that someone thinks you have done something so foolish or cringe that they are puzzled about your state of mind. Tread carefully with this one!
Example:
Why would you put on makeup 🤔 just to go to class?
— Kj (@coach__Kj) October 9, 2023
Goat emoji 🐐
Is the Goat emoji 🐐 one of the best emoji ever? Well, that is debatable. What isn’t debatable, though, is that this emoji is often used to describe someone or something as being the GOAT, or the Greatest of all Time. While that term famously confused Meryl Streep, don’t let this emoji flummox you!
Example:
Cristiano Ronaldo makes football look easy. A goal every game for both Club and Country, the Greatest there will ever be. 🐐
— Federal (@Xhrine_UN) November 17, 2023
Snake emoji 🐍
We’ll stay in the zoo for a little longer as we look at the Snake emoji 🐍. Snakes often get a bad rap, and that continues to be the case with this sssuspicious emoji. The Snake emoji 🐍 is often used to imply someone is a liar, a cheater, or backstabber.
Example:
Only thing worse than a liar is a thief but a thief who lies when they know you have proof…watch out 🐍
— BIG VAUGHN 🛫📸🧑🏽🍳💰✨♐️ (@vaughndoesitall) December 7, 2023
Watermelon emoji 🍉 and Sunflower emoji 🌻
These two emoji are both used to refer to serious global events. Based on the colors of the Palestinian flag, the Watermelon emoji 🍉 is often used to represent and show support for Palestine and Palestinians. The sunflower is the national flower of Ukraine, so the Sunflower emoji 🌻 is often used to show support and solidarity with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. We are only looking at these two right now, but plenty more emoji either are or will be used to subtly refer to real world issues.
Examples:
Who has upcoming charity streams / sales supporting Palestine? 🍉
Link to the posts please, I want to boost and support 📢
— jes the human (@jesthehuman) February 3, 2024
Happy #EuropeDay everyone please spare a thought for the beautiful people of Ukraine 🇺🇦 🌻❤️🌻#StandWithUkraine
— Tizzy (@Tizzy71595855) May 9, 2023
Woozy Face emoji 🥴
The party is in full swing and the Woozy Face emoji 🥴 has inevitably shown up. This emoji is often used to mean a person is, or plans to be, intoxicated or otherwise not in the usual state of mind. And that’s about as far as we are going to go, so you can use your imagination on this one.
Example:
It’s 10am and we already drinking 🥴
— K 👑 (@_iWishiCARED) February 10, 2024
Ghost emoji 👻
Usin’ emoji makes me feel good! The Ghost emoji 👻 often shows up during Halloween or when people are sharing scary stories. However, it also suddenly appears when a person thinks they are being ghosted or are the victim of ghosting. If someone has stopped all contact and has vanished without a trace, who you gonna call? The Ghost emoji 👻!
Example:
Do I believe in ghosts? No. But one time I ghosted a guy in high school 👻
— courtneigh 🔜 LIB ⚡️ (@groundscourtney) February 8, 2024
Hundred Points emoji 💯
We are 100 percent sure that the next emoji is the Hundred Points emoji 💯. This emoji is often used to signal complete agreement or that someone strongly supports something.
Example:
West Baltimore got the best rappers💯
— M (@mykelsopretty) February 9, 2024
Nail Polish emoji 💅
We don’t want to get on the bad side of this next emoji. The Nail Polish emoji 💅 is often used when a person is feeling sassy or self-confident, especially when they are throwing shade at someone.
Example:
Congratulations, she still ain’t me💅
— ghoul girl🥀🦇 (@DaDankGoddess) August 16, 2022
Skull emoji 💀
We have Generation Z to thank for some new meanings for the next several emoji. The Skull emoji 💀 can signal death and doom, but it is often used by younger social media users to express strong laughter. It is the emoji of choice when a funny meme or TikTok video nearly made you die of laughter.
Example:
Nicki Lost and they've deleted the tweet. Lmfao. This is too funny 😭💀😂
— Okeoghene (@terhso) February 4, 2024
Clown Face emoji 🤡
The jokes are over because the next emoji is the Clown Face emoji 🤡. Younger emoji users often bring out the Clown Face emoji 🤡 when someone has made a fool of themselves, shared a really terrible opinion, or did something unbelievably cringe.
Example:
I am just happy we won’t see a 1M dollar crypto gaming ad in the Super Bowl like we did in 2023.
That was honestly 🤡 behavior.
— cagy.ron (@cagyjan1) February 11, 2024
Upside-Down Face emoji 🙃
The Upside-Down Face emoji 🙃 often shows up alongside the Clown Face emoji 🤡. It too is often used (passive aggressively) to mean that someone is a failure or behaving foolishly. Alternatively, a person may use this emoji when they are overcome with disgust, frustration, or another strong emotion that has turned their world upside down.
Example:
Just tracked an Amazon package that left a sorting facility in San Diego yesterday, that’s currently in Vegas, on its way to me in… San Diego 🙃
— Ryan James Dee (@RyanJamesDee) February 13, 2024
Slightly Smiling Face emoji 🙂
This unassuming emoji will lull you into a false sense of security. But—watch out!—younger users often use the Slightly Smiling Face emoji 🙂 in a variety of ways. It can be used to represent a condescending or patronizing tone. It can represent sarcasm or, of course, passive aggression. Or it may mean a person is hiding pain or stress behind a weak smile. This emoji doesn’t look like anything special, but appearances can be deceiving.
Example:
Still havent been asked to be someones valentines 🙂
— Alberto ➐ (@_23_alberto) February 11, 2024
Fire emoji 🔥
Time to turn up the heat with the Fire emoji 🔥. People often use this emoji to say that something is awesome, cool, or hype. It can also refer to someone accomplishing something amazing (because they are “on fire”). Finally, it can also be used to describe someone who is really hot, as in attractive.
Example:
I can't wait for Super Bowl tonight, I bet Taylor Swift is going to be awesome!!! 🥰🔥
— 🅱️***🇳🇪 🤓 (@evil_bean1017) February 11, 2024
Folded Hands emoji 🙏
The Folded Hands emoji 🙏 is often used to represent prayer or someone hoping for good luck. At the same time, this emoji is also often used to mean “Thank you.” Interestingly, it is just one of many emoji that has this grateful double meaning associated with it. Well, we are grateful we got to share this list of emoji with you!
Example:
To all the snow plow drivers…
THANK YOU
BE SAFE out there
🙏🙏🙏
— Mets Dad (@The_Technician1) February 13, 2024
