Emoticon Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
😊
emoticon
[ɪˈmoʊtɪˌkɒn ]
Definition
digital communication
An emoticon is a representation of a facial expression using keyboard characters, commonly used in digital communication to convey emotions or feelings. They are typically made up of a combination of punctuation marks, letters, and numbers. Emoticons add an emotional layer to text that may otherwise be devoid of any expressive quality. More modern variations include emoji, but traditional emoticons remain popular for their simplicity and ease of use.
Synonyms
emotion representation, face, smiley.
Examples of usage
- :)
- :(
- ;)
- :D
- :-/
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Origin of 'emoticon'
The term 'emoticon' is derived from the combination of 'emotion' and 'icon'. Its use can be traced back to the early 1980s, when computer scientist Scott Fahlman proposed using a simple textual representation of a smiling face to distinguish between serious posts and jokes on an online bulletin board at Carnegie Mellon University. The original emoticon, :) for a smile and :( for a frown, quickly gained popularity and spread across various online communities. As digital communication evolved, so did these symbols. While emoticons served as the precursor to the more complex emoji that we use today, they played a pivotal role in helping users convey tone and emotion in an increasingly text-based world. This evolution reflects the ongoing adaptation of language and communication tools in the digital age.
Word Frequency Rank
At position #41,502, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.