Youโ€™ve probably seen the popular ๐Ÿ˜‰ (winking face) emoji floating around, but what does it mean? The wink emoji, also known as the winking face, can be used in several flirty and playful situations. Weโ€™ve put together an easy-to-follow guide to help you learn all about this familiar emoticon. Keep reading to find out what the ๐Ÿ˜‰ (winking face) emoji means and how to use it.

Section 1 of 3:

๐Ÿ˜‰ (Winking Face) Emoji Meanings

  1. 1
    The ๐Ÿ˜‰ is a universal symbol for flirting. If someone sends you a ๐Ÿ˜‰ with a message that makes your heart flutter, chances are they like you! This emoji is a subtle suggestion that someoneโ€™s feeling affectionate.[1]
    • โ€œAre you doing anything later? ๐Ÿ˜‰โ€
    • โ€œI couldnโ€™t take my eyes off you last night ๐Ÿ˜‰โ€
  2. 2
    You might see a ๐Ÿ˜‰ used to express humor. Jokes donโ€™t always come across through text as they would IRL, so you may see someone add a ๐Ÿ˜‰ to their message to say, โ€œHey! Iโ€™m only joking!โ€ This is a playful and fun way to lighten up the mood and get you to chuckle.
    • โ€œWhy was 6 afraid of 7? ๐Ÿ˜‰โ€
    • โ€œWhat kinda cheese doesnโ€™t belong to you? Nacho cheese ๐Ÿ˜‰๐Ÿ˜‚โ€
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  3. 3
    Some people use a ๐Ÿ˜‰ to tell a secret. If someoneโ€™s hiding something, theyโ€™ll probably add a ๐Ÿ˜‰ to their message. They're spilling the beans to you, and a wink is their way of filling you in on the details.
    • โ€œYou didnโ€™t hear it from me, but Amy dyes her hair ๐Ÿ˜‰โ€
    • โ€œWanna hear what I heard in bio? ๐Ÿ˜‰โ€
  4. 4
    The ๐Ÿ˜‰ can also communicate irony. Someone may add a ๐Ÿ˜‰ to an otherwise normal message to make it sarcastic. This is a casual way of saying you need to take what they said with a grain of salt.[2]
    • โ€œYep. Iโ€™ll totally not text him again ๐Ÿ˜‰โ€
    • โ€œDefinitely going to bed on time tonight ๐Ÿ˜‰โ€
  5. 5
    A ๐Ÿ˜‰ may signal playful mischief. Think about when you would wink in real life. If youโ€™re up to no good, chances are youโ€™ll wink at your best friend. The ๐Ÿ˜‰ works the same way. Someone might put this emoji at the end of a text to say, โ€œIโ€™ve got some tricks up my sleeve.โ€[3]
    • โ€œYou have no idea what I can do ๐Ÿ˜‰โ€
    • โ€œReady for tonight? ๐Ÿ˜‰โ€
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Section 2 of 3:

How to Use the ๐Ÿ˜‰ (Winking Face) Emoji

  1. 1
    When youโ€™re flirting: Use a ๐Ÿ˜‰ to say, โ€œHey, I like you.โ€ This playfully flirtatious emoji shows your attraction and can turn any harmless message into a flirty comment. Pair it with other flirtatious emojis like โค๏ธ and ๐Ÿ˜, and youโ€™re sure to capture their attention.
    • โ€œThereโ€™s no one Iโ€™d rather hang out with ๐Ÿ˜‰โค๏ธโ€
    • โ€œSheโ€™s got nothing on you, babe ๐Ÿ˜‰โ€
  2. 2
    When you tell an inside joke: If youโ€™re in a group chat, use a ๐Ÿ˜‰ to tell a joke only you and your friends know. This is a fun way to be humorous and playful at the same time.
    • โ€œYouโ€™re such a drama llama ๐Ÿ˜‰โ€
    • โ€œPIZZAAA ๐Ÿ˜‰๐Ÿ•โ€
  3. 3
    When you share a secret: Keep things on the down-low by sending a secret along with a ๐Ÿ˜‰. The emoji will signal your friend that things need to be kept hush-hush. Add a ๐Ÿคซ to your wink if the secret is extra juicy.
    • โ€œIf I tell you something, you gotta promise not to tell anyone ๐Ÿ˜‰โ€
    • โ€œMom put beans in the brownies ๐Ÿ˜‰๐Ÿคซโ€
  4. 4
    When youโ€™re being ironic: Use a ๐Ÿ˜‰ to say โ€œYeah, right.โ€ Maybe you sent an ironic message, or a friend is being their silly self. Either way, you can use a ๐Ÿ˜‰ to express sarcasm in a harmless way.
    • โ€œI totally believe you ๐Ÿ˜‰โ€
    • โ€œWhatever you say ๐Ÿ˜‰โ€
  5. 5
    When youโ€™re feeling mischievous: Add a ๐Ÿ˜‰ to your message to tell a friend youโ€™re up to no good. Your mischief certainly isnโ€™t managed, and thereโ€™s no better way to say, โ€œIโ€™m planning troubleโ€ than with the playful ๐Ÿ˜‰.
    • โ€œIโ€™ve got a plan ๐Ÿ˜‰โ€
    • โ€œDonโ€™t worry. Itโ€™ll all work out ๐Ÿ˜‰๐Ÿ’–โ€
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About This Article

Aly Rusciano
Co-authored by:
wikiHow Staff Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Aly Rusciano. Aly Rusciano is a Creative Writer based outside of Nashville, Tennessee. She has over ten years of experience in creative, academic, and professional writing. Alyโ€™s writing has been nationally recognized in the Sigma Tau Delta Rectangle and featured in Blue Marble Review, The Sunshine Review, PopMatters, and Cathartic Literary Magazine. She graduated from The University of Tennessee at Martin with a BA in English, focusing in Creative Writing and minoring in Theatre. This article has been viewed 59,992 times.
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Co-authors: 3
Updated: March 21, 2022
Views:ย 59,992
Categories: Emoticons and Emojis
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