Emojis are often used to convey feelings, thoughts and actions across social media and messaging, but as some emojis have unexpected double meanings and with Gen Z coining new interpretations for popular emojis, you may want to check if your favourite emoji is saying what you think it is.
To clear up the confusion, mobile phone retailer Fonehouse reveals the most searched for emoji meanings and what they currently represent.
The retailer has analysed Google Search queries relating to individual emoji meanings to find which emojis we’re most confused about.
Looking into four different search terms using both the emoji and written formats, the number of searches were added together and ranked highest to lowest to reveal the most searched for emoji meanings.
The 20 Emoji Meanings People Search for the Most:
- Blue Heart 💙
- White Heart 🤍
- Purple Heart 💜
- Aubergine 🍆
- Black Heart 🖤
- Smirking Face 😏
- Eyes 👀
- Upside Down Face 🙃
- Skull 💀
- Grinning Face with Sweat 😅
- Smiling Face with Hearts 🥰
- Blushing Smiley Face 😊
- Green Heart 💚
- Hundred 💯
- Pleading Face 🥺
- Yellow Heart 💛
- Woozy Face 🥴
- Grimacing Face 😬
- Nazar Amulet 🧿
- Eye Roll 🙄
The team have also revealed what each of these most searched for emojis actually mean right now.
1. Blue Heart 💙
The blue heart emoji is commonly used to show feelings of affection but not romantically – so receiving this heart could mean you’ve been friend-zoned.
2. White Heart 🤍
The white heart emoji is used for pure love and affection. It is also commonly used when someone has passed away.
3. Purple Heart 💜
The purple heart emoji can be used to show care and compassion; however, with thanks to Ty Dolla Sign’s “Purple Emoji” song it’s also used to show sexual attraction. This heart is also associated with fans of the K-pop band BTS.
4. Aubergine 🍆
Though its original founding is definitely related to the vegetable, the aubergine emoji has taken the internet by storm and is popularly used in sexual innuendos.
5. Black Heart 🖤
The black heart emoji is often used to show mourning or loss, but it can also be used to represent dark humour. It has also been used to show support for the Black Lives Matter movement.
6. Smirking Face 😏
The smirking face emoji is usually used to indicate flirting or a suggestive message. It could also mean that you are feeling smug, self-confident, or a little bit cheeky.
7. Eyes 👀
The eyes emoji, also known as the side-eye, is often used when there’s drama or tension. It can also be used when being nosey, flirty or if someone says something they’re not supposed to.
8. Upside Down Face 🙃
A classic smiley flipped upside down, this emoji is usually used to convey irony, sarcasm or mild frustration.
9. Skull 💀
Despite negative connotations, the skull emoji has been reimagined by younger generations and is now used to express laughter, meaning that you ‘laughed so hard that you died’.
10. Grinning Face with Sweat 😅
The grinning face with sweat is often used to indicate nerves, minor awkwardness or as asymbol of relief.
11. Smiling Face with Hearts 🥰
The smiling face with hearts emoji expresses happy or affectionate feelings. It’s commonly used in response to a compliment but could also mean “in love” if sent by the right person.
12. Blushing Smiley Face 😊
The blushing smiley face emoji is often used to express happiness, satisfaction or thankfulness. However, it may also be used in a sarcastic or ironic sense in some scenarios.
13. Green Heart 💚
The green heart emoji expresses platonic loving feelings, with most people using it with someone they’re not that close to. It can also represent a love for the environment.
14. One Hundred 💯
The one hundred emoji refers to the saying “keep it 100” which generally means “keep it real”, conveying or emphasising achievement, support and motivation.
15. Pleading Face 🥺
Also known as puppy dog eyes, the pleading face emoji is often used when pleading for something, such as forgiveness or a favour. It can also convey affection, sadness or cuteness.
16. Yellow heart 💛
Like the other hearts, the yellow heart emoji can simply represent love, but more often is used to show friendship, as opposed to romantic love. It can also be used with expressions of happiness.
17. Woozy face 🥴
The woozy face emoji is commonly used to express intoxication, or that someone is feeling smitten.
18. Grimacing Face 😬
The grimacing face emoji is often used when there are negative or tense emotions, representing nervousness, embarrassment, or awkwardness. It can also be used to express excitement.
19. Nazar Amulet 🧿
The nazar amulet emoji is a symbol believed to protect against the evil eye, especially in Turkish culture. The emoji is often used to ward off evil intentions and block out negative energy.
20. Eye roll 🙄
The eye roll emoji is used to express disbelief, annoyance, impatience or boredom. It can also be used to indicate sarcasm or irony.
