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Plus, using 🌊 and other water-related emojis in texts
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Don't panic if seeing 💦, aka the water or sweat emoji, makes you feel like you're in hot water trying to interpret it! Since this symbol can be totally steamy or simply friendly, we'll walk you through how to figure out what the water emoji means, and the different ways you can use it.[1] We'll also cover other water-related emojis, like the 🌊 (water wave) emoji. Read on so you know exactly what you’re looking at any time you see a water emoji.

What does the water drop emoji mean?

The 💦 (water or sweat) emoji is often sexually charged, expressing desire or attraction. It can also be used to stand in for plain old water, like when talking about the weather. The 🌊 (wave) emoji is often used to talk about trends, as in a "wave of" something.[2]

Section 1 of 5:

💦 (Water or Sweat Drop) Emoji Meanings

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  1. People can be very flexible with this symbol—they can either be flirty by complimenting someone’s looks, or they can make a big statement and talk about actual sexual acts.[3] Look for any emojis that the 💦 (water or sweat drop) emoji is paired with, as well as any key phrases, to decide how spicy the 💦 (water or sweat drop) emoji is meant to be.[4]
    • A 💦 emoji by itself: This can mean someone's “thirsty," or attracted to you, or that they’re aroused.[5] For example, “Ugh! That selfie is too much. 😍 My thirst is so real. 💦” Or, “I love guys in gray sweatpants. 💦”
    • A 💦 emoji next to a 🍑 (peach) emoji: Someone may think you have a great butt. For example, “Wow, that bikini shot tho! 🍑 💦"
    • A 🍒 (cherry) emoji in front of 💦 emoji: This may be a compliment about your chest. For example, "That corset is spellbinding! Yummy! 🍒 💦"
    • A 💦 emoji next to the 👀 (eyes) emoji: It can be a flirty hint about being worked up. For example, “It’s so 💦 in my 👀. You’re so hot.” Or, more literally, “Ohhh! I have 💦 in my 👀. That birthday card was so sweet!”
    • A 💦 emoji with a veggie emoji: When appearing next to something like the 🍆 (eggplant) emoji, it can be sexual, but may actually refer to food. For example, “This salad is so fresh! 🍆 🥒🥕 💦”
    • A 💦 emoji next to the 👅 (tongue) emoji: It can be thought of as sexual, but can also simply mean their mouth is watering. For example, “👅 💦 That wedding cake looks delicious.”[6]
  2. Whether someone’s talking about the rain or how their mood’s changed, the 💦 (water or sweat drop) emoji can be used totally platonically. Look for details like how hot or rainy it is. Also, see if they need more water or if they’re jumping in the pool. Finally, check if they’re talking about their attitude—they might be saying they’re really anxious right now.[7]
    • A 💦 emoji alone: It can mean someone’s going for a dip, a downpour of rain, or feeling dehydrated.. For example, “I’m so glad I have a pool now! 🩱 💦” or “Why’d I move to Seattle?! It rains 24/7! 💦”
    • A 💦 with a ☀️ (sun) emoji: It can mean the weather is so hot that they’re sweating. For example, “I love Arizona, but it’s scorching! ☀️ 💦”
    • A 💦 emoji next to the 😟 (worried face) emoji: The person texting is probably nervous. For example, “I have too many exams to prep for. 😵 💦”
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Section 2 of 5:

Sexy Ways to Use the 💦 (Water or Sweat Drop) Emoji

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  1. Comment on their pic or say that you noticed them and can’t get them out of your head. Focus on how attractive they are and how much they work up your “thirst.” Using this emoji is a light and playful way to spark up some chemistry.[8]
    • “It’s not fair for you to post that! 😭 Now I’m caught in a thirst trap. 💦”
    • “Someone get me a tall glass of water…your bikini pic is making me thirsty! 💦”
    • “🥵 You look so fine on a motorcycle. Total Bond vibes. 💦”
  2. If you already know them really well and have had some spicy encounters, then give them a reason to smile. Remind them that they still put you in a lusty mood and hit them with a compliment.
    • “It's obvious you deadlift, babe. 🍑 💦 Wow!”
    • “🍒💦 That dress…and every other one you own…looks amazing on you. 😍”
    • “😈 You are such a goddess to behold. 🍑 💦”
  3. If someone’s your SO or FWB, skip the hints and jump right to the good stuff. Let them know how excited you are to be with them, or how much you’re waiting to be alone with them again.
    • “I can’t wait for us to be together tonight. 👄 💦”
    • “I need to satisfy my need… for you! 👅 💦”
    • “I miss being close to you in every way. 🍭 👄 💦”
  4. Boost their ego and praise their skills in the bedroom. Confess that you had an earth-shattering night and thank them for an unforgettable time.
    • “OMG! I had such a great time with you.💥💦 I’m hooked.💖”
    • “Clearly, I worship you in every way. 🍆💦”
    • “I can’t wait to see you again! 💦 💦 💦”
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Section 3 of 5:

Everyday Uses for the 💦 (Water or Sweat Drop) Emoji

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  1. Share whether it’s sunny or wet out—maybe you’re sweating buckets or it’s raining buckets. Talk about how you feel about the situation and if it’s pretty enjoyable or a bit inconvenient.
    • “Not going to lie…I’m sweating like a pig. ☀️ 💦 Bakersfield's beautiful, though!”
    • “Ever since I landed in London, it’s been rainy! 💦 I adore the moodiness! 😍”
    • “Alright, Phoenix isn't for me! I feel like I’m dehydrated on the daily. 💦”
    • “Semester’s over! You know what that means, girls! Spring break! 👙👙👙 💦”
  2. Are you a bundle of nerves and almost at a loss for words? Throw in any face emoji that best captures how you feel, then add a 💦 (water or sweat drop) emoji to tell whoever you’re talking to that you could use some extra support.
    • “I’m so on edge about my gallery opening. 😬💦 What if no one likes my art?”
    • “Not in a good headspace to go to a family reunion. 😮‍💨💦 I wanna cancel.”
    • “I didn’t get enough sleep last night. 😵‍💫💦 I hope I can keep it together today.”
  3. Strike up a tasty chat—talk about some dishes you love or wish you could dive into. When you use the 👅 (tongue) emoji with a 💦 (water or sweat drop) emoji, just be sure to be really specific about your text being culinary instead of flirty!
    • “It's the best Chinese takeout. 🥡 👅💦 The kung pao chicken is 🤯.”
    • “Check out Cheri's baking IG! 🧁 Those cupcakes look delish! 👅💦”
    • “I could really go for some sushi right now. 🍣 👅💦 Can you pick some up?”
    • Take our fun emoji quiz to find out what your most frequently used emojis say about you!
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Section 4 of 5:

Meanings and Uses for the 🌊 (Water Wave) Emoji

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  1. Maybe you’re on a cruise or you just find the sea beautiful. The 🌊 emoji is a great way to share any thoughts related to large bodies of water.
    • “I may be a city girl now, but I dream about a beachy getaway! 🌊☀️”
    • “Boarding a yacht to Greece!🛥️ 🌊 LOL! Jk. Maybe one day.”
    • “I adore the sea. 🥰 🌊 It’s the only place for me.”
  2. You could be a fan of whale watching or snorkeling. On the other hand, maybe surfing or volleyball is more up your alley. Whatever the case is, the 🌊 emoji covers a lot of territory.
    • “Scuba diving for my honeymoon! Hope to make some new friends. 🌊 🐢🐠”
    • “Aww, yeah! Kiteboarding with my bestie! Such a rush. 😁 🌊”
    • “Attending a sandcastle competition today! Hope the waves don’t wash anything away! 🌊”
  3. The powerful imagery of the 🌊 emoji can capture being “caught up” in an “undertow” or a “flood” of life’s stresses. It can also convey any emotion, like joy or surprise, that washes over you.
    • “I swear. Sometimes, it’s one thing after the other. 🌊 Can I catch a break?”
    • “Oof. Student loans. 🌊 📑 So much paperwork to wade through.”
    • “I said ‘yes’! 💍 💓 🌊 Such a flood of love and joy washing over me today!”
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Section 5 of 5:

Other Water-Related Emojis

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  1. Many of them directly refer to weather conditions, but can also be used to describe everything from sweating to how someone feels inside. For example, a 🌦️ (the sun behind a rain cloud) emoji is often a way to let others know that happier times are emerging through sad ones. That, and other emojis, include the following:
    • 💧 (Droplet): This emoji can describe a single drop of water or sweat. It can also be used as a teardrop to communicate that someone is sad. In some cases, it's slang for "drip," which means a person is "dripping" with style.
    • ☔ (Umbrella with Rain Drops): This typically means that it's pouring so hard outside that it'd be a good idea to bring an umbrella.
    • 🌧️ (Cloud with Rain): This emoji can describe either a rainy day or a sad state of mind.
    • ⛈️ (Cloud with Lightning and Rain): This emoji can be used to capture a violent weather storm or a really chaotic day.
    • 🌦️ (Sun Behind Rain Cloud): This emoji can tell you it's rainy with a side of sunshine. It can also convey that someone's having a bit of a rough time, but there are reasons to smile, too.
    • 🏊 (Person Swimming): This typically just symbolizes swimming, but it can also be used metaphorically. For example, someone can be "wading" through paperwork.
    • 🤽🏾 (Person Playing Water Polo): This usually doesn't have any hidden meaning. Most of the time, it just means someone is enjoying a round of water polo.

Understand and Use Sexual Emojis with this Expert Series

We've all been there. You're flirting with someone over text, and then they send a confusing emoji. What does it mean? Read this expert series and learn how to use emojis to upgrade your flirting!

Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Do the cherries also represent testicles?
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    Yes. They can also represent breasts.
  • Question
    What does 🚱 mean?
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    It usually means either that there is no water or water is not allowed, or if there is water, the water is not safe for drinking. (The word for this is "non-potable" as opposed to the potable water emoji 🚰.)
  • Question
    What about the restroom emojis?
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    Community Answer
    The restroom emojis are: 🚾(WC symbol, meaning "water closet", another term for public restroom), 🚹 (man symbol, men's restroom), 🚺 (woman symbol, women's restroom), 🚻(man and woman symbol, gender-neutral restroom), 🚽 (toilet), and 🧻(toilet paper). They are mostly used to talk about public toilets. As for other meanings, the people symbols (🚹 🚺) can also be used to indicate someone's gender on a profile, and the two-people symbol (🚻) can be used to represent a couple as opposed to the colored version (👫), and the WC symbol (🚾) could also be used as someone's initials. The toilet 🚽 and toilet paper🧻 don't usually mean anything aside from using the bathroom.
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About This Article

Candace Gasper
Reviewed by:
Social Media & Digital Marketing Consultant
This article was reviewed by Candace Gasper and by wikiHow staff writer, Maryana Lucia Vestic, MFA, M.Phil.. Candace Gasper is a Social Media & Digital Marketing Consultant and the Owner of Digital Candy, a social media agency. With over seven years of professional experience, Candace is an expert in social media and content creation, specializing in working with local businesses to share their narratives and help them expand their reach. Candace received her Bachelor of Science in Merchandising, Apparels, and Textiles from the University of Kentucky. This article has been viewed 288,828 times.
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Co-authors: 8
Updated: October 2, 2025
Views: 288,828
Categories: Emoticons and Emojis
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