What Does the 😉 Wink Emoji Mean?

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Find out if they're flirting or not with our complete guide

Co-authored by Aly Rusciano Reviewed by Anyah Le Gilmore-Jones

Last Updated: June 4, 2025 Fact Checked

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Meanings

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How to Use the 😉 (Winking Face) Emoji

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Variations

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Video

You’ve probably seen the popular 😉 (winking face) emoji floating around, but what does it mean? The wink emoji, also known as the winking face, can be used in several flirty and playful situations. We’ve put together an easy-to-follow guide to help you learn all about this familiar emoticon.^{[1]
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Research source} Keep reading to find out what the 😉 (winking face) emoji means and how to use it.

Winky Face Emoji Meaning

If someone sends you a winky face, there's a good chance they like you and they're trying to sound flirty. A winking emoji may also mean the person is joking around or that they're telling you a secret.

Section 1 of 3:

😉 (Winking Face) Emoji Meanings

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The 😉 is a universal symbol for flirting. If someone sends you a 😉 with a message that makes your heart flutter, chances are they like you! This emoji is a subtle suggestion that someone’s feeling affectionate.^{[2]
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- “Are you doing anything later? 😉”
- “I couldn’t take my eyes off you last night 😉”
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You might see a 😉 used to express humor. Jokes don’t always come across through text as they would IRL, so you may see someone add a 😉 to their message to say, “Hey! I’m only joking!” This is a playful and fun way to lighten up the mood and get you to chuckle.
- “Why was 6 afraid of 7? 😉”
- “What kinda cheese doesn’t belong to you? Nacho cheese 😉😂”
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Some people use a 😉 to tell a secret. If someone’s hiding something, they’ll probably add a 😉 to their message. They're spilling the beans to you, and a wink is their way of filling you in on the details.
- “You didn’t hear it from me, but Amy dyes her hair 😉”
- “Wanna hear what I heard in bio? 😉”
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The 😉 can also communicate irony. Someone may add a 😉 to an otherwise normal message to make it sarcastic. This is a casual way of saying you need to take what they said with a grain of salt.^{[3]
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- “Yep. I’ll totally not text him again 😉”
- “Definitely going to bed on time tonight 😉”
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A 😉 may signal playful mischief. Think about when you would wink in real life. If you’re up to no good, chances are you’ll wink at your best friend. The 😉 works the same way. Someone might put this emoji at the end of a text to say, “I’ve got some tricks up my sleeve.”^{[4]
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- “You have no idea what I can do 😉”
- “Ready for tonight? 😉”

Section 2 of 3:

How to Use the 😉 (Winking Face) Emoji

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When you’re flirting: Use a 😉 to say, “Hey, I like you.” This playfully flirtatious emoji shows your attraction and can turn any harmless message into a flirty comment. Pair it with other flirtatious emojis like ❤️ and 😍, and you’re sure to capture their attention.^{[5]
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- “There’s no one I’d rather hang out with 😉❤️”
- “She’s got nothing on you, babe 😉”
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When you tell an inside joke: If you’re in a group chat, use a 😉 to tell a joke only you and your friends know. This is a fun way to be humorous and playful at the same time.
- “You’re such a drama llama 😉”
- “PIZZAAA 😉🍕”
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When you share a secret: Keep things on the down-low by sending a secret along with a 😉. The emoji will signal your friend that things need to be kept hush-hush. Add a 🤫 to your wink if the secret is extra juicy.
- “If I tell you something, you gotta promise not to tell anyone 😉”
- “Mom put beans in the brownies 😉🤫”
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When you’re being ironic: Use a 😉 to say “Yeah, right.” Maybe you sent an ironic message, or a friend is being their silly self. Either way, you can use a 😉 to express sarcasm in a harmless way.
- “I totally believe you 😉”
- “Whatever you say 😉”
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When you’re feeling mischievous: Add a 😉 to your message to tell a friend you’re up to no good. Your mischief certainly isn’t managed, and there’s no better way to say, “I’m planning trouble” than with the playful 😉.
- “I’ve got a plan 😉”
- “Don’t worry. It’ll all work out 😉💖”

Section 3 of 3:

Variations of the 😉 (Winking Face) Emoji

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There is more than one way to create a 😉. If you don’t have emojis on your device, you can easily make your own winking emoticon out of symbols on your keyboard.^{[6]
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Research source} Copy and paste some of these clever renditions the next time you want to wink:
- ;)
- ;D
- ;]
- ;- )
- (^_~)
- (‐° ͜ ˇ‐)
- (>ω^)