emoticon

noun

emo·​ti·​con i-ˈmō-ti-ˌkän 

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

Someone keeps calling her on the landline and leaving voice messages and texting her mobile phone—bits of song lyrics, compliments, and emoticons. —David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025

The language and emoticon reference internet memes and are often used for online trolling. —Christopher Cann, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025

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

Word History

Etymology

emotion + icon

First Known Use

1987, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for emoticon

• agamemnon
• automaton
• diencephalon
• panopticon
• phenomenon
• aileron
• antiphon
• autobahn
• carillon
• castellan
• celadon
• cephalon

Kids Definition

emoticon

noun

emo·​ti·​con i-ˈmō-ti-ˌkän 

: a group of characters (as :-) for a smile) that suggests an attitude or facial expression