😘

Face Blowing a Kiss

feys bloh-ing uh kiss
Unicode: 1F618
Added: 0.6
Category: Smileys & Emotion
#19
Global Ranking
accessible
Accessibility
very common
Usage Level

Definitions

1
Emotional Β· Affection Very Common
Expresses romantic affection, flirtation, or playful fondness through a face blowing a kiss, typically used to show love or appreciation toward someone.
Commonly used in romantic contexts, but also as a gesture of gratitude or friendly affection depending on relationship.
Can't wait to see you tonight 😘
Text message to romantic partner
Thanks for helping with my project 😘
Message to close friend
Happy birthday to my favorite sister 😘
Social media post
One of the most universally understood affectionate emojis across cultures, though interpretation of romantic intensity varies regionally.
2
Social Β· Gratitude Common
Conveys appreciation or gratitude with a warm, affectionate tone, often used as a friendly gesture rather than romantic overture.
Appropriate between close friends or family members to express thanks with warmth beyond plain text.
The gift arrived, it's perfect 😘
Message to friend or family member
You're a lifesaver! Thanks for picking up the kids 😘
Family group chat
Usage in gratitude contexts has increased since 2016, particularly among women and in intergenerational family communication.

Evolution Timeline

2010
Introduced in Unicode 6.0 as one of the original emotion emojis.
Growing demand for digital expressions of affection.
2015
Usage expanded beyond romantic contexts to express gratitude and platonic affection.
Broader emoji adoption across demographic groups.
2018
Became one of the top 20 most used emojis globally across platforms.
Mainstream acceptance of emojis in everyday communication.
2020
Saw increased usage during pandemic lockdowns as people sought digital intimacy.
Physical distancing created need for digital expressions of closeness.

Cultural Context

The kiss emoji creates intimacy in digital spaces, allowing users to convey affection across distances in ways plain text cannot achieve.
Interpretation varies by age: older users tend to reserve it for romantic contexts, while younger users deploy it more casually among friends.
Functions as a digital paralanguage element, softening messages and adding warmth that might otherwise be lost in text-based communication.
In Western cultures, the blowing kiss emoji has broader platonic applications than in some Asian cultures where it may retain stronger romantic connotations.
One of few emojis whose meaning has remained relatively stable across platform redesigns, maintaining consistent interpretation despite visual variations.

Regional Variations

Australia Used liberally among friends and family with a casual, laid-back approach.
United Kingdom Widely used across generations, often with 'x' text kisses for emphasis.
United States Commonly used across age groups, though with varying frequency. Particularly popular in casual digital communication.

Generational Usage

Gen_X: Primarily used in romantic or family contexts. Less commonly used in professional settings or with acquaintances.
Gen_Z: Used liberally among friends without romantic implications. Often paired with other emojis for aesthetic effect on TikTok and Instagram.
Older: Often reserved for close family or romantic partners. May be used singularly rather than in emoji combinations.
Millennials: Common in romantic contexts and close friendships. Frequently used in family group chats and to express gratitude on social platforms.

Common Combinations

😘❀️
Strong romantic affection or love, often between partners or close relationships.
Universal romantic combination across Western cultures, particularly popular on anniversaries and Valentine's Day.
😘😘
Intensified affection, showing extra enthusiasm or emphasis.
Multiple kiss emojis signal stronger emotion, common in close relationships.
😘✨
Special or magical affection, often for celebration or significant moments.
Adds a sense of sparkle or specialness to the affection, popular in birthday messages.
πŸ˜˜πŸ™
Grateful affection, expressing heartfelt thanks with warmth.
Combines gratitude with personal warmth, especially common in response to favors or gifts.
😘πŸ₯‚
Celebratory affection, often for congratulations or special occasions.
Used for toasts, celebrations, and marking relationship milestones.

Related Emojis

πŸ’‹ More intense kiss mark, often perceived as more passionate or romantic. πŸ˜™ Similar kissing face but with open eyes instead of winking. 😚 Kissing face with closed eyes, conveying similar affection with different visual cues. ❀️ Often used in combination to enhance romantic meaning. πŸ₯° Similar emotional tone of affection but with hearts instead of a kiss.