What Does :) Mean?
![image of :) emoticon](pics/colon_).png)
The symbol :) is an emoticon that represents a smiling face. It is generally used to convey happiness, approval, or good vibes. When viewed sideways, the colon ":" acts as the eyes, and the right parenthesis ")" acts as the mouth, creating a simplistic representation of a smiling face. It is one of the most widely recognized emoticons and is still used in various forms of digital communication, such as text messages, emails, and social media posts.
![image of :-) emoticon](pics/colon_-).png)
:) signifies the same as the version with a hyphen ":-)". In fact, the hyphenated version is a bit older and was more commonly used in the early days of the internet and SMS text messaging. Over time, as the need for brevity increased and, as emojis began to take over, the simpler :) became more popular. Both versions are understood to signify the same emotions and are generally interchangeable.
Image for :)
When I write :), I mean this:
![meaning of :)](../IMT_images/smiley_icon.jpg)
:) represents a "smiley face."
![](../images/thumbsup.png)
Summary of Key Points
"Smiling Face" is, by far, the most common meaning for :) when it is used in a text. (Bear in mind that it could have another meaning if used in a different context.):) | |
---|---|
Definition: | Smiling Face |
Type: | Emoticon |
Guessability: | ![]() 1: Easy to guess |
Typical Users: | ![]() Adults, Teenagers, and Under 13s |
An Academic Look at :)
![image for academic look at :)](pics/academic-look.png)
Example of :) Used in a Text
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