emoji

[ ih-moh-jee ]

noun

, plural e·mo·ji, e·mo·jis.

1. Digital Technology. a small digital picture or pictorial symbol that represents a thing, feeling, concept, etc., used in text messages and other electronic communications and usually part of a standardized set:

   She texted me an emoji of “money with wings,” which probably means she’s out shopping.

Word History and Origins

Origin of emoji¹

First recorded in 1990–95; from Japanese: literally, “pictograph,” equivalent to e “picture, drawing” + moji “(written) character, letter”; kaomoji ( def )

Example Sentences

"I was thinking of my lower back or my..." as the prince points towards his backside and the captions turn to emojis.

From BBC

And when I didn’t reply he sent an alarm clock emoji and told me: 'Time’s running out.'

From BBC

The machines, being offered to pupils in Wirral, help pupils share their feelings using a microphone, emoji expressions and lights.

From BBC

Jackson also shared one of the pregnancy portraits on her Instagram story, writing “beyond excited” beside an egg emoji.

From Los Angeles Times

In December, Apple Intelligence will also allow users to create their own customized emojis to use as stickers or reactions in text messages.

From Los Angeles Times