What Does the 🍕 (Pizza) Emoji Mean Sexually?

Co-authored by Dan Hickey

Last Updated: May 27, 2024 Fact Checked

You’re messaging with someone, and all of a sudden they send you a pizza (🍕) emoji—does pizza mean something sexual now? Sometimes, yes! Though the pizza (🍕) emoji usually just refers to a delish, cheesy slice of ’za, on rare occasions, it can actually have a secret, sexual meaning. We’ve put together a handy guide to what the 🍕 (pizza) emoji means and how to use it in your conversations. Read on to spice up your messages with some ’za!

Section 1 of 5:

🍕 (Pizza) Emoji Sexual and Romantic Meanings

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In rare cases, the 🍕 (pizza) emoji might be used to suggest a threesome. It’ll probably turn up in the phrase “pizza night” or “pizza place.” In this context, the threesome usually consists of 2 men and 1 woman as a nod to the late-90s sitcom Two Guys, a Girl, and a Pizza Place . ^{[1]
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Trustworthy Source
Science Direct
Online archive of peer-reviewed research on scientific, technical and medical topics
Go to source} It might also mean a threesome because the emoji looks like a triangular slice with 3 sides.
- Look for context clues like other flirty emojis, sexual banter, or other references to threesomes—if you spot these, it’s possible that 🍕 (pizza) means a threesome.
- “What do you say we hit up a pizza place? 😏🍕”
- “Hmm, maybe tonight should be 🍕 night 😜”
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On a dating app, it’s more likely that 🍕 (pizza) means “I like you.” The 🍕 (pizza) emoji is the 4th most popular emoji on Tinder, and it’s sometimes used to initiate a morning chat after a night out together (which may or may not have included a hookup). If you get a morning 🍕 (pizza) message, it probably means the date went well! ^{[2]
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Trustworthy Source
Science Direct
Online archive of peer-reviewed research on scientific, technical and medical topics
Go to source}
- The 🍕 (pizza) emoji has this meaning on other dating apps, like Grindr or Hinge, and even in DMs on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, or TikTok.
- “Well last night was fun 😉🍕”
- “Morning 👋🍕”
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The 🍕 (pizza) emoji can mean “I love you.” The 🍕 (pizza) and 🧀 (cheese) emojis have become slang for expressing affection between two people. The exact reason why isn’t clear—it might be because it’s “cheesy” to say “I love you,” or just because everybody loves cheese (and pizza)! ^{[3]
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Research source}
- “I love you! 🍕❤️”
- “Psst. Thinking about you 🍕😍”

Section 2 of 5:

Most Common 🍕 (Pizza) Emoji Meanings

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Most often, the 🍕 (pizza) emoji simply refers to the food, pizza. It usually looks like a slice of pizza with pepperoni on it, but the exact toppings and design might vary according to platform or device. It can also just refer to food and drink in general when someone is hungry or making dinner plans. ^{[4]
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Trustworthy Source
Greater Good Magazine
Journal published by UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center, which uses scientific research to promote happier living
Go to source} You might see this extra frequently on National Pizza Day (February 9).
- “I’m craving some 🍕 right now.”
- “Hey, wanna order 🍕 for dinner tonight?”
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A 🍕 (pizza) emoji can refer to Italian food, culture, or Italy itself. The food pizza originated in Italy before it became globally popular, so the 🍕 (pizza) emoji can be used as a nod to its country of origin. You might see it when someone’s texting about their favorite Italian restaurant or planning a trip to Italy. ^{[5]
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Research source}
- “I can’t wait until my trip to Italy! 🇮🇹🍕🤌”
- “Let’s get Italian for date night 🍕🍝🥗”

Section 3 of 5:

How to Use the 🍕 (Pizza) Emoji

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Send a 🍕(pizza) emoji to playfully suggest a threesome. A plain 🍕(pizza) emoji all by itself might not get the point across, so add in some other flirty emojis or mention a potential third person to avoid confusion.
- “Let’s do something different this weekend…how about a 🍕night? 😜”
- “Maybe some 🍕 would make me feel better 😈 Let’s ask Chad?”
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Use 🍕(pizza) to talk about your love of pizza. Shout it from the mountaintops (over text)! Whether you like plain cheese or a loaded supreme pizza, this emoji will get your point across loud and clear.
- “National Pizza Day is my favorite holiday! 🍕”
- “I LOVE PIZZA!!!! 🍕🍕🍕”
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Tell your friends it’s time to eat with the 🍕 (pizza) emoji. When you’re hungry or thinking about food, use the 🍕 (pizza) emoji (and whatever other food emojis you like) to show you want to make some dining plans. Suggest pizza itself, or express a general desire to eat.
- “I need dinner NOW 🍕🥡🍔”
- “Let’s eat soon. I think I’m feeling 🍕”
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Say you love all things Italian with the 🍕 (pizza) emoji. Whether you’re talking about Italian cuisine, your Italian roots, or your upcoming European vacation, the pizza emoji conveys your enthusiasm.
- “Viva l'Italia! 🇮🇹🍕💙”
- “The first thing I’m doing in Italy is ordering some authentic 🍕”
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Say “I like you” with the 🍕 (pizza) emoji. Get cheesy and send your special someone a heartfelt message to brighten their day. Include the words “I like you” or “I love you,” or just send the 🍕 (pizza) emoji as a secret code between you two.
- “😘🍕”
- “Happy anniversary! 🍕”

Section 4 of 5:

How to Respond to the 🍕 (Pizza) Emoji

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Accept or decline an invitation for a threesome. If someone sends you the 🍕 (pizza) emoji to ask if you’re DTF, reply with your answer. If yes, use other emojis and flirty language to keep things lighthearted. If no, keep it short and simple so you don’t lead the sender on.
- “Mmm, yeah I could be down for some 🍕tonight 😉”
- “No thanks!”
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Let someone know if you’re going to make it to dinner. If someone asked you if you want pizza or invited you out to eat with the 🍕 (pizza) emoji, let them know if you’re in. Feel free to use the emoji in your reply!
- “Yeah, 🍕 sounds great! See you at 6pm.”
- “I can’t make it to dinner 🙁 Have an extra slice in my honor!”
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Tell your pizza-loving lover that you love them back! Reply with an equally cheesy (pun intended) message when you get a 🍕 (pizza) emoji text from your special someone. Bonus points for puns and inside jokes.
- “Aw! You have a pizza my heart 🍕❤️”
- “🍕 back atcha! 😘”

Section 5 of 5:

Other Food Emojis with Sexual Meanings

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A lot of food emojis can represent different body parts and sexual acts. If you’re wondering whether someone will get your niche and sexy pizza reference, don’t worry—there are plenty of other tasty emojis to choose from to spice up your messages. ^{[6]
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Research source} Try some of the following:
- The 🍆 (eggplant), 🌭 (hot dog), 🍌 (banana), and 🥖 (baguette) emojis represent a penis.
- The 🍑 (peach) and 🍩 (donut) emojis refer to someone’s derrière.
- The 🍒 (cherry) emoji can refer to a butt, breasts, or even testicles.
- The 🌮 (taco) and 🍯 (honey pot) emojis symbolize a vagina.

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