🥂
Clinking Glasses
kliŋ-kiŋ glɑː-səz
Definitions
1
Celebration · Social
Very Common
Two champagne flutes touching in a celebratory toast, representing congratulations, celebrations, special occasions, or festive gatherings.
Used to convey celebration, mark achievements, or propose a toast. Often accompanies congratulatory messages.
Congratulations on your promotion! 🥂
Text message
Happy New Year everyone! 🥂 Here's to an amazing 2023!
Social media post
Just closed on our first house! 🥂
Family group chat
The clinking of glasses originated from medieval practices to ensure drinks weren't poisoned; now universally recognized as a celebratory gesture.
2
Social · Invitation
Common
Used to suggest meeting for drinks or to indicate drinking socially, often implying a casual, upscale, or celebratory gathering.
Frequently used in invitations or when planning social outings.
Drinks tonight? 🥂
Direct message
Let's catch up over drinks soon 🥂
Reconnecting with friends
The champagne glasses specifically suggest a more refined or special occasion compared to beer mugs (🍻).
Evolution Timeline
2016
Added to Unicode 9.0 as part of expanded food and drink emoji set.
Growing demand for celebration-themed emojis beyond the beer mugs.
2018
Usage spike during royal wedding coverage and social media conversations.
Global televised events driving celebratory emoji usage.
2020
Significant increase in virtual toast usage during pandemic lockdowns.
Zoom celebrations and virtual happy hours replacing in-person gatherings.
Cultural Context
The gesture of clinking glasses serves as a universal symbol of goodwill and celebration across cultures, though the specific drinks and occasions vary regionally.
While English speakers say 'Cheers,' Germans say 'Prost,' French say 'Santé,' and Spanish speakers say 'Salud' – all represented by this single emoji.
The tradition of toasting dates back to ancient Greece, where hosts would drink first to prove the wine wasn't poisoned. The clinking evolved to engage all five senses in the drinking ritual.
Younger users often employ this emoji more casually for regular social drinking, while older generations reserve it for significant celebrations and formal toasts.
Regional Variations
Australia
Used more casually and frequently than in other regions, often for weekend socializing.
United Kingdom
Commonly used for social drinking occasions beyond just celebrations, including casual meetups.
United States
Often associated with champagne specifically, frequently used for professional achievements and life milestones.
Generational Usage
Gen_X: Primarily used for significant life events and achievements, often in family group chats and Facebook posts.
Gen_Z: Used casually for everyday social drinking posts, often paired with other emojis in Instagram stories and TikTok captions.
Older: Used sparingly and specifically for formal celebrations like anniversaries and weddings, typically on Facebook.
Millennials: Frequently used for milestone celebrations, brunch culture, and work achievements on Instagram and Facebook.
Common Combinations
🥂🎉
Celebration or party with drinks, often for major achievements or holidays.
Universal combination for festive occasions, particularly New Year's Eve and birthdays.
🥂🎂
Birthday celebration with drinks, often for milestone birthdays.
Used for adult birthdays where alcohol is present, implying a sophisticated celebration.
🥂💍
Engagement celebration or toast to a newly engaged couple.
Used in congratulatory messages for engagements or when announcing one's own engagement.
🥂✨
Special or glamorous celebration, often with an elegant atmosphere.
Suggests upscale events or sophisticated gatherings rather than casual drinking.
🥂🍽️
Fine dining experience with drinks, suggesting a complete night out.
Used when discussing restaurant reservations or special dining experiences.