How to Spice Up Your Texts and DMs with the 🥵 Hot Emoji

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The best examples of how to use your keyboard’s hottest emoji

Co-authored by Dan Hickey Reviewed by Candace Gasper

Last Updated: July 7, 2025 Fact Checked

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🥵 (Hot Face) Meanings

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Using 🥵 (Hot Face)

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Replying to 🥵 (Hot Face)

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Alternatives to 🥵 (Hot Face)

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Tips

Do you wish there was an emoji that perfectly conveys what it feels like to bite into a jalapeño you were certain wasn’t going to be that hot, but you were wrong? What if that same emoji could also show your crush how attractive you think they are without having to say a word? If a versatile emoji for hotness is what you need, then you’ll love the 🥵 (hot face) emoji! In this article, we’ll show you all the meanings of the 🥵 (hot face) emoji, plus how to use and respond to it to spice up your own texts and DMs. If you think you can take the heat, read on!

Things You Should Know

The 🥵 (hot face) emoji means that someone is hot temperature-wise or they find someone else very attractive. It can also mean someone’s thirsty or stressed out.
Use the emoji by itself or pair it with emojis like 🌡️ (thermometer) to show you’re hot, 💧 (droplet) if you’re thirsty, or 🔥 (fire) if you’re flirting.
Reply with encouragement or offer a favor if someone sends you the hot face and says that they’re burning up or overwhelmed.
Take 🥵 (hot face) as a clear sign someone is flirting with you if they open with a sly “hey” or comment on your appearance. Flirt back if you like (or not!).

Section 1 of 4:

🥵 (Hot Face) Meanings

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1
The 🥵 (hot face) emoji means someone’s feeling hot or overheated. This versatile emoji pops up when someone’s been out in the sun too long, has a fever, or ate something a little too spicy for them. This is the most common use of the emoji and you can assume the sender is just hot unless they say something else to indicate they’re stressed or flirting. If someone sends you 🥵 (hot face), they’re really feeling the heat!^{[1]
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- “I can’t believe my AC broke on the day it’s gonna be 100 degrees! 🥵”
- “FYI, Jess wasn’t lying when she said her homemade salsa was extra hot 🥵🌶️”
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The 🥵 (hot face) emoji can also mean someone’s super thirsty. If someone’s red in the face and sweating like the emoji, chances are they’re in need of a nice cool glass of water. They’ll probably tell you flat out if they’re dying of thirst (and you can assume the sender is probably feeling pretty warm, too).
- “I’ve got a nasty fever and can’t keep any water down 🥵”
- “Omg it’s so hot outside and I forgot my water bottle at home 🥵”
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Sometimes, the 🥵 (hot face) emoji means the sender is stressed. Imagine the flushed, hot feeling you get when your to-do list is 1,000 miles long and you don’t know where to start, then picture that feeling as an emoji. It probably looks something like 🥵! Most often, the emoji will be accompanied by a description of the stressed person’s to-do list or woes.^{[2]
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- “If I finish my history paper, cram for my math test, and make it home from track practice by 7pm, then I'll have time to start my chem project…🥵”
- “I have a hundred people asking for help all at once 🥵 I don’t know how to handle it!”
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In slang, 🥵 (hot face) means you think someone is super attractive. In fact, you’ve probably seen similar hot-and-bothered faces in cartoons whenever a character’s crush walks by. The emoji might show up all by itself or accompanied by a (hopefully respectful) compliment when someone’s feeling flirtatious over text or on social media.^{[3]
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Research source} Look out for a cheeky “hey,” a compliment on your look, or especially a comment on a flattering photo of you on social media.^{[4]
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- “You look great! 🥵”
- “🥵🥵🥵”

Section 2 of 4:

Using 🥵 (Hot Face)

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1
Tell someone you can’t take the heat anymore with 🥵 (hot face). Send the emoji by itself or explain your superheated circumstances to show you need some shade. Try pairing it with other hot emojis like ☀️ (sun), 🌡️ (thermometer), 🌶️ (hot pepper), or 🔥 (fire). If you’re truly suffering, add a lively 😩 (weary face).^{[5]
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- Them: “How was soccer practice?”
  You: “🥵😩”
- “The Sahara is BEAUTIFUL…but maybe not my vacay destination next year 🥵☀️🌡️”
2
Emphasize how parched you are with 🥵 (hot face). Feel so thirsty you could put a lemonade stand out of business? Add the hot face emoji to your texts whether it’s a hot day, you’re sick, or you just can’t find a water fountain anywhere. Try including descriptive water emojis like 🌊 (water wave), 🚰 (potable water), 💧 (droplet), or 💦 (sweat or water droplets).
- Them: “I’m stopping by the store on my way to the beach, do you need anything?”
  You: “WATER!! 🌊🥵”
- “I can’t believe my building’s water is off. I’m gonna die of thirst! 🥵💀🚰”
3
Use the 🥵 (hot face) emoji to show how busy or stressed you are. Feeling overwhelmed and not sure how to articulate it? Use the hot face emoji! The panting and sweating shows you’re hustling through the day (plus, who has time to type out a bunch of words anyway?).
- Them: “I know you’ve got a busy day today. Are you hanging in there?”
  You: “Barely 🥵”
- “I have so much to do 🥵 Remind me why I thought taking extra shifts was a good idea?”
4
Show how hot you think someone is and send or comment 🥵 (hot face). It’s fun and easy to flirt over text with the 🥵 (hot face)—it’ll do a lot of the talking for you! Send one by itself, pair it with a compliment (keep it classy!), or attach some other flirty emojis like 😉 (winking face), 👀 (eyes), or 🔥 (fire).
- “That last Instagram photo you posted had me like 🥵”
- “I couldn’t take my eyes off you last night 👀🥵”

Section 3 of 4:

Replying to 🥵 (Hot Face)

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1
Show your sympathy or offer to help if someone’s hot or thirsty. If a friend or crush is baking in the heat or can’t leave work to grab something to drink, send them some emotional support or offer to do them a little favor to take the heat off (literally) if you can. They’ll certainly appreciate it!
- Them: “The AC repair person can’t come until 3! 🥵”
  You: “Sending you 🥶 vibes!”
- Them: “Ugh, I can’t leave the front desk until 10 and I lost my water bottle 🥵”
  You: “I’m not too far from you, let me swing by and bring you a drink! 🥤”
2
Send an encouraging message if someone is stressed out. Send a comforting text to a friend or family member that is having a stressful day if they send you a 🥵 (hot face). If you can, offer to do them a little favor or send them a funny meme or video to bring a smile to their face.
- Them: “🥵 I just don’t see how I’ll ever get all this done!”
  You: “You’ve got this! You’re like the hardest worker I know!”
- Them: “I think it’s time I just give up 🥵”
  You: “Hold on, sending meme support ASAP”
3
Flirt back with someone who sends a 🥵 (hot face) if you’re interested. In a flirty context, the hot face is a clear sign that someone is into you. If you’re into them too, feel free to flirt away or continue the conversation! Of course, if you’re not interested, politely change the subject or express that you’d rather keep things platonic.
- Them: “Hey hottie 🥵”
  You: “Oh hey you. Thinking about me, are you? 😉”
- Them: “You looked fantastic in that dress today 🥵”
  You: “Aw thanks. Hey, did you catch which reports Claire wants us to run for the meeting tomorrow?”

Section 4 of 4:

Alternatives to 🥵 (Hot Face)

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Choose other hot, anxious, or flirty emojis now and then for a little variety. No matter which way you’re using the 🥵 (hot face) emoji, there’s plenty of other ways to communicate your message without having to type a word! Try some of these to mix things up:
- Hot: ☀️ (sun), 🌡️ (thermometer), 🌶️ (hot pepper), 🔥 (fire), ♨️ (hot springs), 💦 (sweat or water droplets)
- Thirsty or water: 🌊 (water wave), 🚰 (potable water), 💧 (droplet), or 💦 (sweat or water droplets)
- Stressed or anxious: 😰 (anxious face with sweat), 😞 (disappointed face), 😩 (weary face), 😨 (fearful face)
- Hot or attractive: 🔥 (fire), 👀 (eyes), 🍒 (cherries), 🤤 (drooling face)

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Tips

Remember that the meaning of an emoji might get lost in translation in a text or DM. When in doubt, just ask what the sender meant or clarify what you meant if they seem confused.

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If you’re flirting with the 🥵 (hot face) emoji, make sure to keep things PG-13 until you and the flirtee are both in agreement on what’s appropriate or wanted.

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