๐
Kiss
kis
Definitions
1
Relationships ยท Romance
very common
Depicts a couple kissing, shown as two people with their lips touching, representing romantic affection, love, or intimacy between partners.
Used to express romantic feelings, celebrate relationships, or indicate desire for physical affection.
Can't wait to see you tonight ๐ Missing you so much!
Text message between romantic partners
Happy anniversary to us! Six amazing years together ๐
Social media post
Movie night with my boyfriend ๐ฟ๐ฌ๐
Instagram caption
Widely recognized symbol of romance across cultures, though public displays of affection have varying acceptance levels globally.
2
Celebrations ยท Milestones
common
Represents relationship milestones, anniversaries, engagements, weddings, or other romantic celebrations between couples.
Often used in congratulatory messages for couples or to mark special relationship occasions.
Congratulations on your engagement! ๐๐ So happy for you both!
Comment on engagement announcement
10 years ago today we said 'I do' ๐ Still madly in love!
Anniversary social media post
Frequently appears in wedding-related communications and anniversary posts across social media platforms.
Evolution Timeline
2010
First introduced in Unicode 6.0 as a heteronormative couple kissing emoji.
Growing demand for relationship-focused emojis on early smartphone platforms.
2016
Usage increased significantly with the rise of Instagram and relationship-focused social media posts.
Social media culture shift toward celebrating relationships publicly.
2019
Complemented by more inclusive couple emojis, though this classic version remained popular.
Push for greater diversity and representation in emoji sets.
Cultural Context
The kiss emoji reflects shifting attitudes toward public displays of affection, with younger generations more comfortable sharing romantic moments online.
Usage varies significantly by region, with Western countries using it more openly while some Asian and Middle Eastern cultures use it more sparingly or privately.
The popularity of dating apps like Tinder and Bumble has increased usage of romantic emojis like the kiss in digital courtship rituals.
While Gen Z and Millennials use this emoji frequently, older generations may prefer more traditional expressions of affection in digital communication.
Regional Variations
India
Used more cautiously, often in private messages rather than public posts, especially among younger users.
United States
Commonly used across all platforms, with particular popularity on Instagram and dating apps.
Generational Usage
Gen_X: Used more selectively for significant relationship moments rather than casual exchanges. More common in private messages than public posts.
Gen_Z: Used liberally in relationships but sometimes ironically. Popular on TikTok and Instagram for both sincere and performative relationship content.
Older: Less frequently used, with preference for more traditional expressions of affection in text form rather than emoji.
Millennials: Frequently used in anniversary posts, dating app conversations, and relationship milestones across platforms, especially Instagram and Facebook.
Common Combinations
๐โค๏ธ
Expressing deep romantic love between partners.
Universal combination for romantic relationships across most cultures and platforms.
๐๐
Engagement, marriage proposal, or wedding-related content.
Used for engagement announcements or wedding celebrations.
๐๐
Celebrating a relationship milestone or anniversary.
Often seen in anniversary posts or relationship status updates.
๐๐ฅ
Passionate relationship or intense romantic attraction.
Suggests physical attraction and chemistry between partners.
๐๐
Adoration for a partner or admiration of a couple's relationship.
Used both to express personal feelings and to comment on others' relationships.
Related Emojis
๐
Represents a kiss mark, often used interchangeably with the couple kissing emoji.
โค๏ธ
Heart frequently paired with kiss emoji to express romantic love.
๐ฉโโค๏ธโ๐โ๐จ
More detailed version of a heterosexual couple kissing.
๐จโโค๏ธโ๐โ๐จ
Same-sex male couple kissing, representing LGBTQ+ relationships.
๐ฉโโค๏ธโ๐โ๐ฉ
Same-sex female couple kissing, representing LGBTQ+ relationships.