Smiley Face Emoji Meanings: All 160+ Faces and Hearts Explained
Smiley faces are the emojis we use most, but a few of them mean something very different from what they look like. 🙂 can feel cold, 😭 is often used for laughing, and 💀 means you laughed so hard you "died". This page explains every smiley face emoji in plain English, so you never send the wrong face again.
They are sorted the same way your keyboard sorts them: smiling and laughing faces, love faces, playful faces, worried, sad and angry faces, costume faces like 🤡 and 👻, cat faces, every heart colour and the little emotion symbols like 💯 and 💤. Tap Copy under any emoji to use it straight away.
On this page
- Smiling and laughing faces (14)
- Love and kissing faces (9)
- Tongue and playful faces (6)
- Faces with hands (7)
- Neutral and skeptical faces (16)
- Sleepy faces (5)
- Sick and unwell faces (12)
- Hat, party and glasses faces (6)
- Worried and surprised faces (15)
- Sad and crying faces (11)
- Angry faces (6)
- Skull, ghost and costume faces (10)
- Cat and monkey faces (12)
- Heart emojis (25)
- Emotion symbols and speech bubbles (14)
- FAQs
1Smiling and laughing faces
- 😀 Grinning face
A big, happy grin. Used to show you're cheerful, excited or genuinely pleased about something.
- 😃 Grinning face with big eyes
An open, excited smile. Shows enthusiasm or joy, like "That's great news!"
- 😄 Grinning face with smiling eyes
A warm, laughing smile. Used for happy news, good vibes and lighthearted jokes.
- 😁 Beaming face with smiling eyes
A wide, toothy grin. Often means proud, pleased with yourself, or a bit cheeky.
- 😆 Grinning squinting face
Laughing so hard your eyes squeeze shut. Used for something really funny.
- 😅 Grinning face with sweat
Nervous or relieved laughter. Used after an awkward moment, a close call or a small mistake.
- 🤣 Rolling on the floor laughing
Uncontrollable laughter, stronger than 😂. Means something is hilarious (ROFL).
- 😂 Face with tears of joy
Laughing so hard you cry. One of the most used emojis, meaning "that's so funny".
- 🙂 Slightly smiling face
A small, polite smile. Can be friendly, but online it's often read as passive-aggressive or sarcastic.
- 🙃 Upside-down face
Silliness, irony or "I'm fine, everything is fine" when it clearly isn't.
- 🫠 Melting face
Melting from embarrassment, heat or awkwardness. Also used for feeling overwhelmed.
- 😉 Winking face
A playful wink. Signals a joke, a hint, flirting or "you know what I mean".
- 😊 Smiling face with smiling eyes
A sweet, blushing smile. Shows warmth, gratitude and genuine happiness.
- 😇 Smiling face with halo
Innocence or being on your best behaviour. Often used jokingly after doing something naughty.
2Love and kissing faces
- 🥰 Smiling face with hearts
Feeling loved, adored or affectionate. Common in romantic or wholesome messages.
- 😍 Smiling face with heart-eyes
Love at first sight. Used for crushes, cute pets, great food or anything you adore.
- 🤩 Star-struck
Amazed and starry-eyed. Used when something is incredible or when you meet someone famous.
- 😘 Face blowing a kiss
Sending a kiss. Used to say goodbye, thank you or "love you" to friends and partners.
- 😗 Kissing face
A simple pucker. Can mean a kiss, whistling or a casual, cheeky reaction.
- ☺️ Smiling face
A calm, content smile. Shows quiet happiness, shyness or gratitude.
- 😚 Kissing face with closed eyes
A sweet, shy kiss. Used with someone you're close to.
- 😙 Kissing face with smiling eyes
A happy kiss or a carefree whistle. Light and affectionate.
- 🥲 Smiling face with tear
Smiling through tears. Used for bittersweet moments, pride or "I'm happy but also hurting".
3Tongue and playful faces
- 😋 Face savoring food
Yum! Used for delicious food, or jokingly for someone attractive.
- 😛 Face with tongue
Sticking your tongue out. Playful teasing or a silly, cheeky mood.
- 😜 Winking face with tongue
Crazy, playful energy. Used for jokes, pranks and wild plans.
- 🤪 Zany face
Goofy and a little bit crazy. Used for silly fun, chaos and "let's go wild".
- 😝 Squinting face with tongue
Teasing someone or reacting to something gross or hilarious in a silly way.
- 🤑 Money-mouth face
All about money. Used for payday, deals, winning or being greedy (jokingly).
4Faces with hands
- 🤗 Smiling face with open hands
A hug or a warm "aww". Also used for jazz hands and excitement.
- 🤭 Face with hand over mouth
Giggling or "oops". Used after a cheeky comment or a little secret.
- 🫢 Face with open eyes and hand over mouth
Shocked or surprised, like "I can't believe that just happened!"
- 🫣 Face with peeking eye
Too scared or embarrassed to look, but still peeking. Used for cringe or suspense.
- 🤫 Shushing face
"Shh!" Keep it secret or be quiet.
- 🤔 Thinking face
Thinking, doubting or questioning something. "Hmm, let me think about that."
- 🫡 Saluting face
A salute. Means respect, "yes sir" or "on it".
5Neutral and skeptical faces
- 🤐 Zipper-mouth face
"My lips are sealed." Promising to keep a secret or staying quiet.
- 🤨 Face with raised eyebrow
Skeptical or suspicious. "Are you sure about that?"
- 😐 Neutral face
No reaction, unimpressed or speechless in a flat way.
- 😑 Expressionless face
Even more unimpressed than 😐. Used for annoyance or "seriously?"
- 😶 Face without mouth
Speechless or lost for words. Can also mean staying silent on purpose.
- 🫥 Dotted line face
Feeling invisible, ignored or wanting to disappear.
- 😶🌫️ Face in clouds
Head in the clouds, confused, foggy or daydreaming.
- 😏 Smirking face
A sly, confident smirk. Often flirty, smug or suggestive.
- 😒 Unamused face
Not impressed. Used for annoyance, jealousy or side-eye.
- 🙄 Face with rolling eyes
An eye-roll. Shows irritation, sarcasm or "whatever".
- 😬 Grimacing face
Awkward, nervous or cringing, like "yikes".
- 😮💨 Face exhaling
A big sigh. Relief, exhaustion or letting go of stress.
- 🤥 Lying face
A Pinocchio nose. Used when someone is lying or exaggerating.
- 🫨 Shaking face
Shaken, shocked or so excited you can't sit still.
- 🙂↔️ Head shaking horizontally
Shaking your head to say "no" or show disapproval.
- 🙂↕️ Head shaking vertically
Nodding to say "yes" or agree.
6Sleepy faces
- 😌 Relieved face
Calm and relieved. Peaceful, content or proud in a quiet way.
- 😔 Pensive face
Sad, thoughtful or disappointed. Often used for regret.
- 😪 Sleepy face
Very sleepy or tired. The bubble on the nose is a sleep bubble from anime, not a tear.
- 🤤 Drooling face
Craving something badly, usually food. Also used for someone attractive.
- 😴 Sleeping face
Fast asleep or bored. "This is putting me to sleep."
7Sick and unwell faces
- 😷 Face with medical mask
Sick, avoiding germs or feeling unwell.
- 🤒 Face with thermometer
Having a fever or feeling ill.
- 🤕 Face with head-bandage
Hurt, injured or emotionally bruised.
- 🤢 Nauseated face
Feeling sick or grossed out by something.
- 🤮 Face vomiting
Extremely disgusted. Used for something gross or cringe.
- 🤧 Sneezing face
Sneezing, having a cold or allergies.
- 🥵 Hot face
Too hot. Used for heat waves, spicy food, workouts or someone very attractive.
- 🥶 Cold face
Freezing cold. Also slang for something "cold" or savage.
- 🥴 Woozy face
Dizzy, tipsy, confused or feeling silly.
- 😵 Face with crossed-out eyes
Dead tired, shocked or knocked out.
- 😵💫 Face with spiral eyes
Dizzy, hypnotised or overwhelmed.
- 🤯 Exploding head
Mind blown. Used for shocking facts or amazing news.
8Hat, party and glasses faces
- 🤠 Cowboy hat face
Yeehaw! Fun, adventurous or country vibes.
- 🥳 Partying face
Party time. Used for birthdays, celebrations and good news.
- 🥸 Disguised face
In disguise or undercover. Used jokingly for hiding or pretending.
- 😎 Smiling face with sunglasses
Cool and confident. Used for summer vibes or "too cool".
- 🤓 Nerd face
Geeky or smart. Used for studying, fun facts or being proudly nerdy.
- 🧐 Face with monocle
Examining something closely, skeptical or fancy.
9Worried and surprised faces
- 😕 Confused face
Confused or unsure. "I don't get it."
- 🫤 Face with diagonal mouth
Unsure, disappointed or "meh".
- 😟 Worried face
Worried, concerned or anxious.
- 🙁 Slightly frowning face
Mildly sad or disappointed.
- ☹️ Frowning face
Sad or unhappy.
- 😮 Face with open mouth
Surprised or amazed. "Oh!"
- 😯 Hushed face
Quietly surprised or stunned.
- 😲 Astonished face
Totally shocked or astonished.
- 😳 Flushed face
Embarrassed, shocked or flustered. Also used for "did you really just say that?"
- 🥺 Pleading face
Puppy-dog eyes. Used for begging, cuteness or feeling touched.
- 🥹 Face holding back tears
Trying not to cry. Used for being touched, proud or overwhelmed by cuteness.
- 😦 Frowning face with open mouth
Shocked in a bad way or upset.
- 😧 Anguished face
Distressed, pained or horrified.
- 😨 Fearful face
Scared or worried about something.
- 😰 Anxious face with sweat
Very anxious, stressed or nervous.
10Sad and crying faces
- 😥 Sad but relieved face
Disappointed but relieved, or a little stressed.
- 😢 Crying face
Sad and teary. Used for hurt feelings or sad news.
- 😭 Loudly crying face
Sobbing. Used for real sadness, but also for laughing hard or being overwhelmed by cuteness.
- 😱 Face screaming in fear
Screaming in shock or horror. "OMG!"
- 😖 Confounded face
Frustrated, upset or confused.
- 😣 Persevering face
Struggling, pushing through or trying hard.
- 😞 Disappointed face
Sad and let down.
- 😓 Downcast face with sweat
Stressed, worried or tired after hard work.
- 😩 Weary face
Exhausted, fed up or dramatically tired.
- 😫 Tired face
Very tired or frustrated.
- 🥱 Yawning face
Bored or sleepy. "Yawn."
11Angry faces
- 😤 Face with steam from nose
Frustrated, determined or proud. Often used for "let's go!"
- 😡 Enraged face
Very angry. Stronger than 😠.
- 😠 Angry face
Angry or annoyed.
- 🤬 Face with symbols on mouth
Swearing or extremely angry.
- 😈 Smiling face with horns
Mischievous or naughty. Used for evil plans and cheeky ideas.
- 👿 Angry face with horns
Angry and devilish. Used for evil or very annoyed moods.
12Skull, ghost and costume faces
- 💀 Skull
Literally "dead". Online it means "I'm dying of laughter" or something is too funny.
- ☠️ Skull and crossbones
Danger, poison or pirates. Also used like 💀 for "dead".
- 💩 Pile of poo
Silly toilet humour or something that's bad. Used playfully.
- 🤡 Clown face
Clowning around, or calling someone (or yourself) a fool.
- 👹 Ogre
A Japanese oni. Used for scary, monstrous or angry vibes.
- 👺 Goblin
A Japanese tengu mask. Used for anger, mischief or scary jokes.
- 👻 Ghost
Spooky, Halloween or playful "boo!". Also means ghosting someone.
- 👽 Alien
Out of this world, weird or UFO-related.
- 👾 Alien monster
Gaming, retro arcades or something weird.
- 🤖 Robot
Robots, AI, technology or acting robotic.
13Cat and monkey faces
- 😺 Grinning cat
A happy cat. Used by cat lovers for cheerful messages.
- 😸 Grinning cat with smiling eyes
A cheeky, happy cat grin.
- 😹 Cat with tears of joy
The cat version of 😂. Laughing hard.
- 😻 Smiling cat with heart-eyes
A cat in love. Adoring something.
- 😼 Cat with wry smile
A smug, sly cat.
- 😽 Kissing cat
A cat blowing a kiss. Affection.
- 🙀 Weary cat
A shocked, screaming cat. "OMG!"
- 😿 Crying cat
A sad, crying cat.
- 😾 Pouting cat
A grumpy, annoyed cat.
- 🙈 See-no-evil monkey
"I can't look!" Used for embarrassment, shyness or cringe.
- 🙉 Hear-no-evil monkey
"I don't want to hear it!"
- 🙊 Speak-no-evil monkey
"Oops, I shouldn't have said that!" Or keeping quiet.
14Heart emojis
- 💌 Love letter
A love note, romantic message or invitation.
- 💘 Heart with arrow
Cupid's arrow. Falling in love.
- 💝 Heart with ribbon
A heart gift. Used for Valentine's Day and sweet gestures.
- 💖 Sparkling heart
Love with extra sparkle. Excitement and affection.
- 💗 Growing heart
Love that is growing. Used for crushes and happy feelings.
- 💓 Beating heart
A heart beating fast. Excitement, love or nerves.
- 💞 Revolving hearts
Two hearts circling. Shared love and romance.
- 💕 Two hearts
Love and affection. Very common in friendly and romantic messages.
- 💟 Heart decoration
A decorative heart for sweet, cute messages.
- ❣️ Heart exclamation
A heart used as an exclamation point. Strong love or agreement.
- 💔 Broken heart
Heartbreak, sadness or disappointment.
- ❤️🔥 Heart on fire
Burning passion, intense love or someone "hot".
- ❤️🩹 Mending heart
Healing after heartbreak or hard times.
- ❤️ Red heart
Classic love. Used for romance, friendship, thanks and support.
- 🩷 Pink heart
Sweet, gentle love. Cute, soft and girly vibes.
- 🧡 Orange heart
Warmth and care. Often used for friendship and support.
- 💛 Yellow heart
Friendship, happiness and positivity.
- 💚 Green heart
Nature, health, growth or jealousy.
- 💙 Blue heart
Loyalty, trust and calm love. Also used for sports teams.
- 🩵 Light blue heart
Calm, peaceful love. Often used for baby boys or soft aesthetics.
- 💜 Purple heart
Compassion and love. Popular with K-pop fans (BTS ARMY).
- 🤎 Brown heart
Warmth and comfort. Also used to celebrate brown skin and culture.
- 🖤 Black heart
Dark humour, sadness, goth style or grief.
- 🩶 Grey heart
Neutral, calm or mixed feelings.
- 🤍 White heart
Pure, clean love and support. Often used for condolences.
15Emotion symbols and speech bubbles
- 💋 Kiss mark
A lipstick kiss. Flirty and romantic.
- 💯 Hundred points
"100%", total agreement or "keep it real".
- 💢 Anger symbol
Anger or frustration, from manga and anime.
- 💥 Collision
A crash or explosion. Used for impact and excitement.
- 💫 Dizzy
Dizziness or sparkle and magic.
- 💦 Sweat droplets
Sweat, water or splashing.
- 💨 Dashing away
Running away fast, wind or a puff of air.
- 🕳️ Hole
A hole. Used for "I want to disappear" or falling into something.
- 💬 Speech balloon
Chatting, comments or "say something".
- 👁️🗨️ Eye in speech bubble
"I am a witness." Speaking up against bullying.
- 🗨️ Left speech bubble
A speech bubble for dialogue.
- 🗯️ Right anger bubble
Shouting or angry speech.
- 💭 Thought balloon
Thinking or daydreaming.
- 💤 ZZZ
Sleeping, tired or bored.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most used smiley face emoji?
Face with tears of joy 😂 has been the most used emoji in the world for years, with the red heart ❤️, rolling on the floor laughing 🤣 and loudly crying face 😭 close behind.
Why does 🙂 look passive-aggressive?
The slightly smiling face has a small, fixed smile with no warmth in the eyes. Many people, especially younger users, read it as "I am smiling but I am not happy", so it often comes across as annoyed or sarcastic.
What is the difference between 😂 and 🤣?
Both mean laughing. 😂 is crying with laughter, while 🤣 is rolling on the floor laughing, which is a little louder and sillier.
Do emoji faces look the same on every phone?
No. Apple, Google, Samsung, WhatsApp and Microsoft each draw their own version, so the expression can look slightly different, but the meaning stays the same.