From Cool to Cringe: A Fun Guide to Emoji Use by Generation | UPrinting
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How Different Generations Use Emojis

Written by UPrinting - Updated on May 21, 2025

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Last updated on May 21st, 2025 at 12:18 am




These days, everybody uses emojis. In fact, an estimated 92% of people now use emojis. And who wouldn’t? They’re fun, expressive, and they brighten up texts in digital conversations. But here’s the thing: not everyone uses emojis the same way. From boomers and Gen Xers to millennials and Gen Zs, every generation has different interpretations for each emoji. If you’re a marketer, knowing about emoji meanings can help you create effective content that resonates across ages.

Don’t want to feel outdated? Buckle up as UPrinting explains how each generation uses emojis in this guide.

Meet the Generations

Before we get into emoji meanings, let’s first get to know the different generations. For the past three years, there has been a 775% increase in emoji use across all ages. While all age groups use them, you can tell that each has its emoji language based on their interpretations and how often they include it in texts.

(1946–1964)

Baby Boomers

Baby boomers are emoji traditionalists. They most likely keep a “World’s Best Grandma/Grandpa” mug and use emojis the same way they use LinkedIn or Microsoft Word clip art. They’re polite, positive, a bit formal, and they take their meanings literally. For boomers, emojis are like stickers. They add them in messages as decorations to make it warmer. In addition, not all of them use emojis, with some still choosing words to express their emotions.

(1965–1980)

Generation X

Gen Xers are a mix of traditional and modern emoji users. They’re cool and chill and use emojis for a bit of flavor and to add light humor, but they don’t sprinkle them in every text the way millennials do. Most Gen Xers stick to safe and familiar emojis like smile, thumbs up, or laugh, and some of them share the same thoughts as boomers that using them in work settings might not be as helpful.

(1981–1996)

Millennials

Could they BE using any more emojis? Millennials are the OG enthusiasts of emojis (Yes, sweet summer 90s kid. You are that old). This group grew up with the rise of emojis and made it mainstream. From MSN, AIM, and Yahoo Messenger to Tumblr and BuzzFeed quizzes, millennials have seen technology and digital conversations evolve. With 92% of millennials using emojis daily, it’s not surprising that they’re the maximalists when it comes to emoji usage. They’re quirky and expressive; every emoji they choose is a vibe or mood. Tough day at work? You get an emoji. Enjoying a great date? Emoji. Birthday celebration? Emoji. Getting that well-deserved vacation? Emoji. Gossiping with friends in a group chat? That’s right, emoji. One message alone usually consists of a few faces, symbols, an animal, or some sparkles for a more dramatic flair.

(1997–2012)

Gen Z

Gen Z is the generation influenced by TikTok trends, Twitch streamers, stan Twitter, and other chaotic memes. They’re like the Wednesday Addams of emoji usage—modern rebels that completely reinvented the emoji game and made it into their language. They use emojis ironically and sarcastically and speak in memes. You might even need a translator if you don’t understand what they’re trying to say, as 74% of Gen Zs use emojis differently than their intended meanings. Like millennials, they use emojis in DMs, work emails, and even in dating. In fact, 78% of Gen Zs use emojis at work, and 38% wouldn’t pursue a serious relationship with someone who doesn’t use emojis.

Meaning of Emojis by Generation

With how each generation uses emojis, it’s inevitable for misinterpretations to happen. According to Adobe’s 2022 U.S. Emoji Trend Report, 47% of emoji users have sent emojis that were misunderstood or taken out of context. To avoid this from happening, here’s a handy cheat sheet for what each emoji means per generation:

Emoji
Baby Boomers
(1946–1964)
Gen X
(1965–1980)
Millennials
(1981–1996)
Gen Z
(1997–2012)

😂

(Laughing Crying)
Funny and wholesome Go-to for humor Classic LOL emoji Cringe, outdated

💀

(Skull)
Literal death Rarely used Halloween vibes Hilarious, means “I’m dead (laughing)”

👍

(Thumbs Up)
A nice way to say ok Quick ok Polite confirmation Passive-aggressive, dismissive

😀

(Smiling Face)
Kindness, sincerity Warm and polite Friendly tone Sarcasm, seen as overly formal or fake

❤️

(Red Heart)
Love, genuine Casual affection Heartfelt or romantic Too basic, used for rejection

🙌

(Raised Hands)
Praise, celebration Rare usage Big enthusiasm, “Yay! We did it!” Still cool if used right

😢

(Crying)
Real tears, actual sadness Used rarely Cry-laughing OR sadness “I’m screaming” (hilarious)

😉

(Winking Face)
Flirty or playful Classic sarcasm Light flirting Cringe or weird energy

🫠

(Melting Face)
What is this? No idea Occasional meme use Trendy, “I’m embarrassed or overwhelmed”

🤡

(Clown Face)
Literal clown, like at the circus Confusing “I feel dumb” or self-roast “You’re a clown” – savage insult

🙏

(Praying Hands)
Prayers and blessings “Thanks a lot” Gratitude or “pls help” Thank you

🔥

(Fire)
“Be careful!” or real fire “That’s hot” “So good!” Sexy, attractive, lit, stylish

👀

(Eyes)
“I see you” Nosy gossip “I’m watching this.” “I’m listening,” “Tell me more,” often for drama or tea

🙃

(Upside-Down Face)
Confused emoji Silliness Passive-aggressive tone, FML Used for chaotic energy or awkward vibes

💯

(100)
“Good job!” Rarely used Motivation or emphasis Cringe, try-hard vibes



(Sparkles)
Literal sparkle Rarely used “Magical!” or for ✨vibes ✨Still slays – used for irony or emphasis

🧢

(Cap)
Baseball hat, literally Sports emoji Confused unless it’s sporty Liar alert! Used in “no cap” slang (cap = lie)

The Cringe List According to Gen Zs

If you want to appeal to a younger age group, it’s important to keep up with the times and leave the outdated emojis. Here’s a quick rundown of cringe emojis according to Gen Zs and what you can use instead:

😂 Face With Tears of Joy

  1. 😖 Why it’s cringe:
    Once hilarious, now feels outdated and forced.
  2. What to try instead:
    💀 “I’m dead” or 😭

Marketing tip 💡:
Use 💀 for meme captions, social media content, and emails, and 😭 for poking fun at your brand or a relatable situation.

👍 Thumbs Up

  1. 😖 Why it’s cringe:
    Implies dry, passive-aggressive energy.
  2. What to try instead:
    🤙 for chill, 🫶 for warm approval.

Marketing tip 💡:
Use 🤙 or 🫶 when responding to comments or reviews so that it feels more human and authentic.

😉 Winking Face

  1. 😖 Why it’s cringe:
    It feels weird, awkward, and creepy.
  2. What to try instead:
    🤭 playful or 😏, depending on the vibe.

Marketing tip 💡:
Use 🤭 in cheeky product captions or to tease an upcoming promo. Save 😏 for bold and confident content that sets your brand apart.

😘 Kissing Face

  1. 😖 Why it’s cringe:
    It feels like a “mom text.”
  2. What to try instead:
    💋 if feeling flirty or 🫶 if you want to show affection. 

Marketing tip 💡:
💋 is best used for beauty, fashion, or bold and sophisticated branding. Use 🫶 to show appreciation to customers.

💯 Hundred

  1. 😖 Why it’s cringe:
    Gives too intense or motivational poster energy.
  2. What to try instead:
    🔥 still lit/cool or for chill approval.  

Marketing tip 💡:
Use 🔥 to highlight bestsellers, special offers, or sales. is more suitable for describing product features and benefits.

😎 Sunglasses Face

  1. 😖 Why it’s cringe:
    Feels too retro and gives “trying too hard to be cool” vibes.
  2. What to try instead:
    🧊 for actual coolness or 😌 for lowkey chill.  

Marketing tip 💡:
Use 🧊 when showcasing sleek features. 😌 is more ideal for wellness brands, calm vibes, or subtle flexes.

😱 Shocked Face

  1. 😖 Why it’s cringe:
    It’s Outdated
  2. What to try instead:
    👁️👄👁️ to show surprise or awkwardness.  

Marketing tip 💡:
Use 👁️👄👁️ for surprise launches or relating your product to an awkward situation. 🫠 is great for self-aware “oops” moments.

💓 💗 💞 💘 Multiple Hearts

  1. 😖 Why it’s cringe:
    It feels spammy or overdone.
  2. What to try instead:
    Better if used individually and in other colors other than red or pink
    🖤, 🩵, 💜, 🤍, 💚.  

Marketing tip 💡:
Choose a heart color that matches your brand identity — 🖤 for bold and edgy, 🩵 for calm, 💚 for an eco-friendly brand, and 💜 for elegant and luxurious vibes.

Emojis might seem like a small detail, but they are here to help people of all ages connect. Whether you use the classic smileys or try to be hip with other emojis, learning how different generations use emojis can avoid miscommunication and help your message feel more relatable and authentic. While 57% of U.S. emoji users are willing to buy an item from brands using an emoji, it’s still important to know your audience well—what’s cool today can come off as cringe to another. When creating content or designing custom merch, remember to stay updated with emoji trends and choose your emojis wisely.


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