Download Article
Decode the nuances of these tiny, friendly faces
Download Article
X
This article was reviewed by Candace Gasper
and by wikiHow staff writer, Dan Hickey
. Candace Gasper is a Social Media & Digital Marketing Consultant and the Owner of Digital Candy, a social media agency. With over seven years of professional experience, Candace is an expert in social media and content creation, specializing in working with local businesses to share their narratives and help them expand their reach. Candace received her Bachelor of Science in Merchandising, Apparels, and Textiles from the University of Kentucky.
There are 7 references
cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources.
This article has been viewed 168,912 times.
The ๐ (smiley face) emoji seems pretty straightforward—just look at the grin on that little face! But what about ๐? Or ๐? And what the heck is the ๐ ( upside down face ) emoji trying to say? If you’re curious about the subtle differences between these faces, you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll show you what 12 popular smileys mean, how to react to them, and where the first smiley face even came from. Let’s take a look!
Things You Should Know
- The ๐ (grinning), ๐ (smiley), ๐ (smile), ๐ (grin) emojis all represent joy and positive feelings (from least to most happy).
- Laughing smileys like ๐ (laughing), ๐ (joy), and ๐คฃ (rolling on the floor laughing) convey genuine laughter when something’s funny.
- The ๐ (upside down face) and ๐ (slightly smiling face) are usually used to show sarcasm, silliness, or irony.
Steps
Section 1 of 3:
Smiley Face Meanings & Uses
Download Article
-
1Use ๐ (grinning) to show joy or cheerfulness about something positive. Think of this as your everyday, average smile—the kind you might put on when you wake up and notice the weather’s nice, or when you feel content after a long but productive day. Send this when you’re feeling happy about anything, but not quite ecstatic or laughing about it. [1] X Research source
- Also known as: grinning face
- “Looking forward to dinner later! ๐”
- “Just met my new neighbors, they seem nice ๐”
-
2Try ๐ (smiley) to convey happiness with some excitement or surprise. This little face has larger eyes than the ๐ (grinning) emoji, making it look more animated. Send this emoji when you’re pleasantly surprised or eagerly waiting for something fun to happen (like meeting up with a good friend or even a crush).
- Also known as: grinning face with big eyes
- “Looking forward to seeing you later ๐”
- “Turns out I owe less in taxes than I thought I would! ๐”
Advertisement -
3Use ๐ (smile) to be extra cheery and show joy that’s almost laughter. This emoji looks extra kind because of its “smiling eyes” (picture someone beaming so wide that their eyes look nearly closed). Use this emoji when you’re texting about something that makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside, or when you’re enthusiastically agreeing with or complimenting someone.
- Also known as: grinning face with smiling eyes, happy face, smiley face
- “My girlfriend adopted a new kitten and honestly…I’m obsessed ๐”
- “Thank you for cutting my hair on such short notice! You’re the best ๐”
-
4Try ๐ (grin) when you’re feeling a little bit mischievous or cheeky. This little face’s toothy smile and squinty eyes resemble the face you might make when you’re messing with a friend (jokingly, of course!). Send it when you’re being playful or even a bit flirty over text, or even to express genuine excitement or enjoyment, too.
- Also known as: beaming face with smiley eyes, cheesy face
- “I promise to make a normal face in my yearbook photo this time ๐”
- Them:
“Did you put confetti in my bed!?”
You: “Me?? I would never! ๐”
-
5Send ๐ (sweat smile) if you’re nervously chuckling after a close call. Imagine slipping on some ice but catching yourself right before you fall—you might let out a quick, involuntary giggle to yourself to express your relief. This emoji sums up that “phew!” feeling perfectly (including a bead of nervous sweat on the forehead). Use it whenever you get away with something or make a deadline at the very last second. [2] X Research source
- Also known as: phew emoji, grinning face with sweat, relief emoji
- “This storm is no joke! I made it inside just before the downpour started ๐ ”
- “Phew! I almost sent a text about crushing on Jenny to Jenny…caught it at the last second ๐ ”
-
6Use the ๐ (laughing) emoji when something makes you chuckle. This smiley has the same big smile as the ๐ (smile) emoji, but with eyes squinted shut with laughter. Send this whenever something cracks you up or makes you laugh out loud, or put it at the end of a joke so the reader knows you’re being silly (tone can be hard to interpret over text sometimes).
- Also known as: grinning squinting face emoji
- “I just saw some guy riding a Segway in a birthday hat and it killed me ๐”
- Them:
“Ugh, I’m so tired of playing the Hallelujah Chorus every year!”
You: “What’s the matter? Can’t you Handel it? ๐”
-
7Include ๐คฃ (rolling on the floor laughing) if you’re absolutely cackling. Remember the slang word “ROFL” from the old days of texting? It doesn’t pop up much anymore, partially because this rolled over, guffawing emoji with tears of laughter sends the message so much better. Use this when you’re dying laughing—like, clutching-your-sides-and-crying laughing. [3] X Research source
- Also known as: tilted laughter
- “You were so freaking funny at the comedy showcase last night!! ๐คฃ”
- “๐คฃ I’m remembering the time you accidentally poured your own beer into your eye and laughing all over again”
-
8Send ๐ (joy) when you’re laughing so hard you’re crying a little. This emoji falls somewhere between ๐ (laughing) and ๐คฃ (rolling on the floor laughing). You’re definitely cracking up, but not quite wheezing or rolling on the floor. Use this any time you find something really funny or need to dab your eyes dry after a hearty guffaw.
- Also known as: face with tears of joy, haha emoji
- “Omg, my dog keeps trying to bring in a stick that’s too big for the doorway and I can’t stop laughing ๐”
- “Remember when you lost that bet and I got to pie you in the face? ๐”
-
9Use ๐ (slightly smiling face) when you’re smiling ironically (or faking it). Sometimes, this smiley is genuine when something’s positive but not really amusing (like if the phrase “hm, that’s nice” was a face). Most of the time, it’s used to be condescending, ironic, or even a little passive-aggressive. Use it to convey you’re being sarcastic or covering up negative feelings. [4] X Research source
- Also known as: ironic smile, pain behind the smile
- “I just remembered I have a physics test tomorrow that I haven't studied for. Fantastic! ๐”
- Them:
“Hey, can you watch my dog again tomorrow? Sorry I forgot to ask sooner.”
You: : “Sure, not a problem. I can change my schedule ๐”
-
10Try a ๐ (upside down face) emoji to be silly or sarcastic. This emoji has a similar meaning to ๐ (slightly smiling face), but without the biting undertone. Use it to express lighthearted sarcasm or to show that you’re putting on a smile over less-than-happy feelings (like if you’re just trying to make it to the end of a hard day).
- Also known as: sarcasm, silly
- “We’ve been driving for 8 hours straight. We just might arrive before I die ๐”
- “I accidentally put my leftover pizza in the trash instead of the fridge ๐ My brain is fine!”
-
11Send a ๐ (wink) to flirt over text or signal an inside joke. Even though the main focus of this emoji is the winking eye, the slight smile shows that this winky face’s intentions are good. Use it when you’re making a joke or wholesome innuendo with a crush ( use other emojis for the dirty stuff ), or when you’re acknowledging an inside reference with someone you know.
- Also known as: winky face
- “That sweater looks cozy. A hug from me might be cozier though ๐”
- Them:
“Can you bring soda to the party? My older brother’s out of town and can’t buy it for us.”
You: “Ah yes, the soda ๐ Yeah, I can get my hands on some.”
-
12Use ๐ (blush) when you’re so touched you can’t help but smile. This emoji has a giant grin, rosy cheeks, and squinty eyes—picture the smile you might make after your crush tells you they like you, or when you get recognized for a big achievement in front of a large crowd. Send this whenever you’re overwhelmed with positive feelings that make you smile and blush (rather than laugh). [5] X Research source
- Also known as: happy, blush face
- “I’m employee of the month! ๐ I’ve been waiting forever for this, haha”
- Them:
“Amazing pic! You look beautiful.”
You: “Oh stop it! ๐”
Advertisement
Section 2 of 3:
Replying to Smiley Faces
Download Article
-
1Be genuine and positive when you’re replying to a smiley face message . Take the ๐, ๐, ๐, ๐, and ๐ emojis fairly literally—the person sending them is probably happy or smiling about whatever’s in their message. Reply with another smiley, send a silly GIF or photo to match the mood, or follow up with your honest reaction or joyous feelings.
- Them:
“I can’t wait for spring break!! ๐”
You: “Me too! ๐ I need to get out of the Midwest NOW lol” - Them:
“Our planning session was so quick! This is gonna be a great gala ๐”
You: “Agreed! I’m glad we get to work together on it.”
- Them:
“I can’t wait for spring break!! ๐”
-
2Keep up the jokes and good vibes when you get a ๐, ๐คฃ, or ๐ emoji. If they sent a laughing smiley in response to something you said, pat yourself on the back for a joke well done and carry on the conversation casually—no need to reply with anything special. If they include it in a message of theirs, they probably think whatever they sent is hilarious, so reply with another laughing smiley, a big LOL, or whatever your humorous gut reaction is.
- You:
“I’ll be ready to leave faster than a one-legged man in a butt-kicking competition.”
Them: “๐คฃ๐คฃ๐คฃ”
You: “What should I bring?” - Them:
“Look at this TikTok!! I’m dying ๐”
You: “LMAO I relate to this ๐”
- You:
“I’ll be ready to leave faster than a one-legged man in a butt-kicking competition.”
-
3Use context clues to decide if ๐ or ๐ are being used sarcastically. If the person uses either emoji in a negative or dry message, chances are they’re trying to convey some irony or misfortune (and maybe a little humor). A ๐ emoji is more jokey, while ๐ could indicate the person is irritated in some way. Respond with an encouraging text to lift their spirits, unless you feel the ๐ emoji’s ire is directed at you (in that case, you may need to get off their nerves instead).
- Them:
“To top off this perfect day, I think I just stubbed and broke my pinky toe. Perfect! ๐”
You: “Oh no! Let me know if there’s anything I can do. I bet you don’t want to walk around doing errands now, haha” - You:
“Can I borrow your nice camera again?”
Them: “Fine. Just don’t drop it again ๐”
You: “Are you sure? I could ask someone else!”
- Them:
“To top off this perfect day, I think I just stubbed and broke my pinky toe. Perfect! ๐”
-
4Keep things lighthearted, fun, or even flirty when ๐ or ๐ are involved. If a good pal or family member sends you one of these, assume they’re genuinely blushing because they’re happy or winking to be friendly or joke with you—respond in any way that makes sense to you based on your relationship. If one of these emojis comes from a crush or acquaintance, there’s a chance they’re flirting with you—reply with something witty, funny, or charming to keep them interested!
- Them:
“Nice job on your science quiz grade! Proud of ya ๐”
You: “Thanks dad!” - Them:
“You were amazing at karaoke last night ๐”
You: “Oh, were you watching? I didn’t notice ๐”
- Them:
“Nice job on your science quiz grade! Proud of ya ๐”
Advertisement
Section 3 of 3:
Smiley Face Emoji History
Download Article
-
1The first “smiling” emoticon debuted in 1982. On September 19, 1982, Carnegie Mellon professor Dr. Scott Fahlman introduced the first emoticon on an electronic bulletin board (like a precursor to modern Internet forums) to help readers recognize sarcasm and jokes. He proposed :-) to signal lighthearted, fun things and :-( to signal serious, negative statements. [6] X Research source
- On September 19 each year, Dr. Fahlman hands out smiley face cookies on campus at Carnegie Mellon University to celebrate the smiley’s birthday.
- Dr. Fahlman is sometimes referred to as “the father of the emoticon.”
-
2The :-) emoticon became the first smiley emoji in 1993. This is when the Unicode Standard was introduced. The Unicode Standard is an information technology standard for text characters (like emojis) so they can be displayed across different technologies. Unicode 1.1 included 2 smiley emojis: โบ (white smiling face) and โป (black smiling face). [7] X Research source
- In 2015, โบ became the ๐ emoji.
- The old school black and white smileys don’t show up very often these days, but some people like to use them to add a retro touch to their messages.
Advertisement
Quiz Pack: We’ve handpicked these quizzes just for you.
You’ve read the article, now get personalized advice with wikiHow Quizzes. Each quiz is carefully researched and matched to your area of interest. Have fun and get the expert advice you need!
Expert Q&A
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement
Tips
- Remember that emojis are meant to be lighthearted and fun! Don’t stress too much about interpreting the specific meaning. If you’re not sure what the sender means, it’s OK to ask for clarification.Thanks
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Advertisement
You Might Also Like
What Emojis Mean Sex?
The Top Emojis Guys Use when They Like or Love You
The Top Emojis a Girl Will Use if She Likes You
What Do All the Different Hand Emojis Mean?
What Does the OBJ (๏ฟผ) Emoji Mean?
What Does the ๐
Tongue Emoji Mean?
What Does the ๐๐ Two Hands Emoji Mean?
Aesthetic Emoji Combinations to Spice Up Your Posts and Messages
14 Flirty Emojis to Send Your Crush (Plus What They Mean & How to Reply)
What Does the ๐ค White Heart Emoji Mean?
What Does the ๐๐ Kiss Emoji Mean?
What Does the ๐ค (Hugging Face) Emoji Mean?
5 Quick Ways to Make the Heart Symbol Using a Computer
What Does the Pink Heart Emoji ๐ฉท Mean?
Advertisement
References
- ↑ https://www.emojiall.com/en/emoji/%F0%9F%98%80
- ↑ โโ https://emojipedia.org/grinning-face-with-sweat/
- ↑ https://www.scienceofpeople.com/emojis/
- ↑ https://emojipedia.org/slightly-smiling-face/
- ↑ https://emojipedia.org/smiling-face-with-smiling-eyes/
- ↑ https://www.businessinsider.com/emoji-were-invented-33-years-ago-heres-why-theyre-so-crucial-today-2015-9
- ↑ https://symbl.cc/en/263A/
About This Article
This article was reviewed by Candace Gasper
and by wikiHow staff writer, Dan Hickey
. Candace Gasper is a Social Media & Digital Marketing Consultant and the Owner of Digital Candy, a social media agency. With over seven years of professional experience, Candace is an expert in social media and content creation, specializing in working with local businesses to share their narratives and help them expand their reach. Candace received her Bachelor of Science in Merchandising, Apparels, and Textiles from the University of Kentucky. This article has been viewed 168,912 times.
How helpful is this?
Co-authors: 7
Updated: October 9, 2024
Views: 168,912
Categories: Emoticons and Emojis
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 168,912 times.
Is this article up to date?
Advertisement
Click a star to vote
% of people told us that this article helped them.
Co-authors: 7
Updated: October 9, 2024
Views: 168,912
Quizzes
Do I Have a Dirty Mind Quiz
Take Quiz
Am I a Good Kisser Quiz
Take Quiz
Rizz Game: Test Your Rizz
Take Quiz
What's Your Red Flag Quiz
Take Quiz
Am I Smart Quiz
Take Quiz
How Insecure Am I Quiz
Take Quiz
You Might Also Like
What Emojis Mean Sex?
The Top Emojis Guys Use when They Like or Love You
The Top Emojis a Girl Will Use if She Likes You
What Do All the Different Hand Emojis Mean?
Featured Articles
How to
Make Your Android Screen Black and White or Grayscale
How to
Do a French Manicure
Do You Really Love Someone if You Cheat on Them? Why We Cheat on People We Love
How to
Reply to “How Did You Sleep?”
What Does it Mean When You Find a Dime?
What Does WSP Mean?
Trending Articles
12 Believable Excuses for Accidental Calls
How to
Make Your Boyfriend Happy over Text
The Best Way to Clean a Septum Piercing & Prevent Infections
Delicious DIY Starbucks Pink Drink Recipes
13 Signs Your Friends with Benefits Is Falling For You
How to
Cope with a Haircut That Is Too Short
Featured Articles
Am I Smarter than a 5th Grader Quiz
How to
Brew a Cup of Instant Coffee: 5 Delicious Methods
How to
Text a Guy Without Looking Desperate
A Complete Guide to Reading and Understanding Your Love Lines
How to
Become Valedictorian
How to
Take Better Notes
Featured Articles
How to
Feed and Care for a Ladybug
18 Best Strategies to Get Out of Your Comfort Zone
How to
Be Happy Being Yourself
How to
Make Yourself More Attractive
Does She Like Me? 15+ Signs She’s Into You
What Kind of Reality Check Do I Need Quiz
Watch Articles
How to
Prevent Nail Polish Stains
How to
Clean Silver Jewelry with Vinegar
How to
Preserve Flowers in a Jar
How to
Cover Your Eyebrows
How to
Make Mineral Water
How to
Make Banana Pancakes
Trending Articles
How to
Flirt Girl to Girl
How to
Pipe Chocolate Decorations
Meaning & Origin of "May the Odds Be Ever in Your Favor"
How to
Make Yourself Feel Better (When You're Sick)
Why Your Phone Says No Service: 11 Issues and Solutions
How to
Do Crunches
Quizzes
What Disney Princess Am I Quiz
Take Quiz
Do I Have a Phobia Quiz
Take Quiz
Guess My Age Quiz
Take Quiz
Am I a Genius Quiz
Take Quiz
Depression Test
Take Quiz
What Human Emotion Am I Quiz
Take Quiz
