🚫

No Entry Sign

noh EN-tree sain
Symbols Unicode 0.6 very common

Meanings

1
Symbols Β· Warning Very Common

Indicates prohibition, denial, or restriction of an action, item, or behavior. Used to communicate that something is not allowed or forbidden.

Commonly placed before another emoji to indicate its prohibition. Often used in instructional or regulatory contexts.

🚫 Smoking in this area, please. πŸ“‹ Public announcement
Sorry, but that's a 🚫 from me. πŸ“‹ Text message
🚫 Negative vibes allowed in this group chat! πŸ“‹ Group message

Universally recognized symbol derived from traffic signage. Digital usage has expanded beyond literal prohibition to express disagreement or rejection.

2
Communication Β· Disagreement Common

Expresses disagreement, refusal, or rejection of an idea, suggestion, or statement. Used to firmly communicate opposition.

Often stands alone as a response or precedes text to emphasize disagreement.

Movie tonight? 🚫 I have to study. πŸ“‹ Direct message
🚫 That's not what I meant at all. πŸ“‹ Social media comment

Has evolved from literal prohibition to a more casual expression of personal boundaries or opinions in digital communication.

Combos with 🚫

πŸš«πŸ“±
No phones allowed or digital detox.
Used in educational settings, meetings, or to indicate personal disconnection from technology.
πŸš«πŸ”Š
No noise or keep quiet.
Used to request silence in shared spaces or during presentations.
πŸš«πŸ’°
No money, broke, or free event/item.
Used to indicate financial status or that something doesn't cost money.
🚫🧒
No cap, meaning no lie or being truthful.
Slang expression popular among younger users, particularly Gen Z.
🚫⏰
No time, no deadlines, or time off.
Used to indicate lack of time pressure or vacation status.

Culture

Has evolved from representing physical prohibition signs to functioning as a negation marker in digital grammar, often placed before another emoji to negate its meaning.

Serves as a boundary-setting tool in digital communication, allowing users to clearly express personal limits or disagreement without confrontational language.

One of the few symbols that maintains consistent meaning across platforms and cultures, making it valuable for clear communication in international digital contexts.

Younger users have expanded its usage beyond prohibition to express ironic rejection or as part of slang expressions like '🚫🧒' (no cap/no lie).

United Kingdom More formally used in official communications about regulations.
United States Often used in workplace and educational communications about policies and rules.
Gen_X: More literal usage focused on rules and prohibitions. Often used in family group chats and work communications.
Gen_Z: Frequently used in slang expressions like '🚫🧒'. Often used ironically or to express boundaries on social media platforms.
Older: Limited usage, primarily for literal prohibition contexts. May use as a standalone response to indicate disapproval.
Millennials: Commonly used in workplace communications and group chats to establish rules or express disagreement with ideas.

History

2010

Introduced as part of Unicode 6.0, primarily used to literally represent prohibition signs.

Initial emoji standardization across platforms.

2015

Usage expanded beyond literal prohibition to express personal disagreement or rejection.

Growth of emoji as emotional and conversational tools.

2018

Became prominent in social media activism to indicate opposition to social issues.

Rise of hashtag activism and social justice movements online.