emoticon

noun

emo·​ti·​con i-ˈmō-ti-ˌkän How to pronounce emoticon (audio)
plural emoticons
: a group of keyboard characters (such as :-)) that typically represents a facial expression or suggests an attitude or emotion and that is used especially in computerized communications (such as email) compare emoji

Examples of emoticon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
These emotions are shown through happy, neutral and angry emoticons. Amit Gandhi, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025 Illustrations and emoticons abound; phrases repeat themselves; characters morph into and out of one another. Alexandra Tanner, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025 The message ended with an emoticon of the Ukrainian flag. Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 2 Mar. 2025 Some services appeared to be coming back online by mid-morning Wednesday, including group and direct messaging as well as emoticon reactions. Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for emoticon

Word History

Etymology

emotion + icon

First Known Use

1987, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of emoticon was in 1987

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Emoticon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/emoticon. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

emoticon

noun
emo·​ti·​con i-ˈmō-ti-ˌkän How to pronounce emoticon (audio)
: a group of characters (as :-) for a smile) that suggests an attitude or facial expression

More from Merriam-Webster on emoticon

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