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Emojis are everywhere. They pop up in social media feeds, text messages, commercials, products, and more. The number of emojis continues to grow each year and our digital language evolves in turn.
It can sometimes be difficult to determine the meaning of an emoji. While it might seem simple on the surface, emojis can have different meanings depending on context. To help you out, we've collected together the 150 most popular emojis and explained their purpose and intent.
This list was established by the Unicode Consortium. It's a group that maintains Unicode, an encoding standard for text data across modern technology, and part of its remit is emojis. To help determine which emojis should become standard, it monitors emoji popularity.
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FREE DOWNLOAD: This cheat sheet is available as a downloadable PDF from our distribution partner, TradePub. You will have to complete a short form to access it for the first time. Download the 150 Most Popular Emojis Explained Cheat Sheet.
The 150 Most Popular Emojis and Their Meaning
Rank | Emoji | Unicode Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | 😂 | Face with Tears of Joy | Extreme happiness, laughter |
2 | ❤️ | Heavy Black Heart | Love |
3 | 🤣 | Rolling on the Floor Laughing | Hysterical laughter |
4 | 👍 | Thumbs Up Sign | Well done, good job, approval |
5 | 😭 | Loudly Crying Face | Uncontrollable sadness, joy |
6 | 🙏 | Person with Folded Hands | Prayer, thank you, high five |
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7 | 😘 | Face Throwing a Kiss | Kiss, love |
8 | 🥰 | Smiling Face with Smiling Eyes and Three Hearts | Love, affection |
9 | 😍 | Smiling Face with Heart-Shaped Eyes | Love, adoration |
10 | 😊 | Smiling Face with Smiling Eyes | Positive, happy |
11 | 🎉 | Party Popper | Celebration, congratulations |
12 | 😁 | Grinning Face with Smiling Eyes | Glowing, beaming, happy |
13 | 💕 | Two Hearts | Love is in the air |
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14 | 🥺 | Face with Pleading Eyes | Adoration, bashful, pleading |
15 | 😅 | Smiling Face with Open Mouth and Cold Sweat | Relief, nerves, excitement |
16 | 🔥 | Fire | Hot, excellent |
17 | ☺️ | White Smiling Face | Happy, positive |
18 | 🤦 | Face Palm | Frustrated, dumbfounded |
19 | ♥️ | Black Heart Suit | Love |
20 | 🤷 | Shrug | Indifference, unknowing |
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21 | 🙄 | Face with Rolling Eyes | Sarcasm, boredom |
22 | 😆 | Smiling Face with Open Mouth and Tightly-Closed Eyes | Excitement, laughter, joy |
23 | 🤗 | Hugging Face | Hugging (love and support), jazz hands (enthusiasm) |
24 | 😉 | Winking Face | Joking, cheeky |
25 | 🎂 | Birthday Cake | Celebration, birthday |
26 | 🤔 | Thinking Face | Ponder, question |
27 | 👏 | Clapping Hands Sign | Applause |
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28 | 🙂 | Slightly Smiling Face | Happy (sometimes ironic) |
29 | 😳 | Flushed Face | Embarrassed, surprise, flattered |
30 | 🥳 | Face with Party Horn and Party Hat | Celebration, joy |
31 | 😎 | Smiling Face with Sunglasses | Cool, confident |
32 | 👌 | OK Hand Sign | Okay, approval, correct |
33 | 💜 | Purple Heart | Love |
34 | 😔 | Pensive Face | Reflective, remorseful |
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35 | 💪 | Flexed Biceps | Strength, fitness |
36 | ✨ | Sparkles | Positive, happy, celebration |
37 | 💖 | Sparkling Heart | Glowing love |
38 | 👀 | Eyes | Seen, shifty, drama |
39 | 😋 | Face Savoring Delicious Food | Cheeky, poking fun, enjoying food |
40 | 😏 | Smirking Face | Mischief, flirting |
41 | 😢 | Crying Face | Upset, pain |
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42 | 👉 | White Right Pointing Backhand Index | Look right |
43 | 💗 | Growing Heart | Love, increasing affection |
44 | 😩 | Weary Face | Distressed, drained, deep enjoyment |
45 | 💯 | Hundred Points Symbol | 100 percent approval |
46 | 🌹 | Rose | Romance, a special occasion |
47 | 💞 | Revolving Hearts | A whirlwind of love |
48 | 🎈 | Balloon | Celebration, congratulations |
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49 | 💙 | Blue Heart | Love |
50 | 😃 | Smiling Face with Open Mouth | Happy |
51 | 😡 | Pouting Face | Annoyed, angry |
52 | 💐 | Bouquet | Appreciation, happy |
53 | 😜 | Face with Stuck-Out Tongue and Winking Eye | Fun, joking, cheeky |
54 | 🙈 | See-No-Evil Monkey | Hiding, cringing, disbelief |
55 | 🤞 | Hand with Index and Middle Fingers Crossed | Hopeful, good luck |
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56 | 😄 | Smiling Face with Open Mouth and Smiling Eyes | Happy, amused |
57 | 🤤 | Drooling Face | Desire, delirious |
58 | 🙌 | Person Raising Both Hands in Celebration | Celebration, success |
59 | 🤪 | Grinning Face with One Large and One Small Eye | Silly, fun, goofy |
60 | ❣️ | Heavy Heart Exclamation Mark Ornament | Emphasized love |
61 | 😀 | Grinning Face | Happy |
62 | 💋 | Kiss Mark | Seductive kiss |
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63 | 💀 | Skull | Death, extreme reaction |
64 | 👇 | White Down Pointing Backhand Index | Look down |
65 | 💔 | Broken Heart | Grief, loss, longing |
66 | 😌 | Relieved Face | Content, calm |
67 | 💓 | Beating Heart | Fluttering love |
68 | 🤩 | Grinning Face with Star Eyes | Amazement, impressed, excitement |
69 | 🙃 | Upside-Down Face | Silly, ironic, sarcasm |
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70 | 😬 | Grimacing Face | Tense, nervous, awkward |
71 | 😱 | Face Screaming in Fear | Shock, scared |
72 | 😴 | Sleeping Face | Tired, bored |
73 | 🤭 | Smiling Face with Smiling Eyes and Hand Covering Mouth | Laughter, cheekiness |
74 | 😐 | Neutral Face | Neutral, irritated, unamused |
75 | 🌞 | Sun with Face | Radiant, happy, positive |
76 | 😒 | Unamused Face | Annoyed, skeptic, irritated |
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77 | 😇 | Smiling Face with Halo | Angelic, innocent |
78 | 🌸 | Cherry Blossom | Love, a special occasion |
79 | 😈 | Smiling Face with Horns | Cheeky, naughty, mischief |
80 | 🎶 | Multiple Musical Notes | Singing, music |
81 | ✌️ | Victory Hand | Peace, success |
82 | 🎊 | Confetti Ball | Celebration, congratulations |
83 | 🥵 | Overheated Face | Overheating, flirty |
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84 | 😞 | Disappointed Face | Disappointed, upset, remorse |
85 | 💚 | Green Heart | Love |
86 | ☀️ | Black Sun with Rays | Sunny, warm, hot |
87 | 🖤 | Black Heart | Love, sorrow |
88 | 💰 | Money Bag | Money, wealth |
89 | 😚 | Kissing Face with Closed Eyes | Affection, romance |
90 | 👑 | Crown | Royalty, success, praise |
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91 | 🎁 | Wrapped Present | Celebration, surprise |
92 | 💥 | Collision Symbol | Explosion, surprise, excitement |
93 | 🙋 | Happy Person Raising One Hand | Wave, ask a question |
94 | ☹️ | White Frowning Face | Sad, concern, disappointed |
95 | 😑 | Expressionless Face | Bored, indifference |
96 | 🥴 | Face with Uneven Eyes and Wavy Mouth | Drunk, dazed, confused |
97 | 👈 | White Left Pointing Backhand Index | Look left |
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98 | 💩 | Pile of Poo | Poo, bad, silly |
99 | ✅ | White Heavy Check Mark | Approval, verification |
100 | 👋 | Waving Hand Sign | Hello, goodbye |
101 | 🤮 | Face with Open Mouth Vomiting | Disgust, ugly, physical illness |
102 | 😤 | Face with Look of Triumph | Success, pride, passion, annoyed |
103 | 🤢 | Nauseated Face | Disgust, nausea |
104 | 🌟 | Glowing Star | Positive, success, admiration |
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105 | ❗ | Heavy Exclamation Mark Symbol | Emphasis, excitement, shock |
106 | 😥 | Disappointed but Relieved Face | Sad, relief, concern |
107 | 🌈 | Rainbow | Happy, love, pride |
108 | 💛 | Yellow Heart | Love, friendship |
109 | 😝 | Face with Stuck-Out Tongue and Tightly-Closed Eyes | Joking, fun, playful |
110 | 😫 | Tired Face | Tired, overwhelmed, dislike |
111 | 😲 | Astonished Face | Shock, surprise |
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112 | 🖕 | Reversed Hand with Middle Finger Extended | Swearing, contempt, disrespect |
113 | ‼️ | Double Exclamation Mark | Emphasis, excitement, shock |
114 | 🔴 | Large Red Circle | Stop, recording |
115 | 🌻 | Sunflower | Nature, sun, appreciation |
116 | 🤯 | Shocked Face with Exploding Head | Shock, amazed, mind-blown |
117 | 💃 | Dancer | Fun, positive, carefree |
118 | 👊 | Fisted Hand Sign | Punch, fist bump |
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119 | 🤬 | Serious Face with Symbols Covering Mouth | Angry, swearing |
120 | 🏃 | Runner | Fitness, rushing |
121 | 😕 | Confused Face | Confused, hesitation, disappointed |
122 | 👁️ | Eye | Watching, seen |
123 | ⚡ | High Voltage Sign | Danger, energy, lightning |
124 | ☕ | Hot Beverage | Coffee, tea, gossip |
125 | 🍀 | Four Leaf Clover | Good luck |
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126 | 💦 | Splashing Sweat Symbol | Hard work, sweat, water, fluids |
127 | ⭐ | White Medium Star | Positive, success, rating |
128 | 🦋 | Butterfly | Beauty, transformation, freedom |
129 | 🤨 | Face with One Eyebrow Raised | Skeptic, suspicious |
130 | 🌺 | Hibiscus | Love, beauty |
131 | 😹 | Cat Face with Tears of Joy | Extreme happiness, laughter |
132 | 🤘 | Sign of the Horns | Rock on |
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133 | 🌷 | Tulip | Spring, nature |
134 | 💝 | Heart with Ribbon | Love, gratitude, gift |
135 | 💤 | Sleeping Symbol | Sleep, tired, bored |
136 | 🤝 | Handshake | Agree, respect |
137 | 🐰 | Rabbit Face | Cute, rabbit, Easter |
138 | 😓 | Face with Cold Sweat | Sad, frustrated, disappointed |
139 | 💘 | Heart with Arrow | Love, Valentine's Day |
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140 | 🍻 | Clinking Beer Mugs | Alcohol, beer, toasting |
141 | 😟 | Worried Face | Worry, anxiety, disappointed |
142 | 😣 | Persevering Face | Frustrated, struggling, helpless |
143 | 🧐 | Face with Monocle | Ponder, observe, smug |
144 | 😠 | Angry Face | Anger, upset |
145 | 🤠 | Face with Cowboy Hat | Adventure, confidence, empowered |
146 | 😻 | Smiling Cat Face with Heart-Shaped Eyes | Cute, love |
147 | 🌙 | Crescent Moon | Mystery, night, sleep |
148 | 😛 | Face with Stuck-Out Tongue | Joking, fun, teasing |
149 | 🤙 | Call Me Hand | Call me, shaka sign (friendly greeting) |
150 | 🙊 | Speak-No-Evil Monkey | Mischief, secret, silence |
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Turn Yourself Into an Emoji
Now you know what lots of the standard emojis mean, why not go a step further and turn yourself into an emoji (also known as a Memoji)? It's fun and easy to do. You can use the native iOS Memoji feature, or download Android apps that replicate the feature.
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