How Different Generations Use Emojis

Written by UPrinting - Updated on July 11, 2025

Share this article

Last updated on July 11th, 2025 at 08:28 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Don’t want to feel outdated?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

😖
Why it’s cringe:
Once hilarious, now feels outdated and forced.
✅
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

😖
Why it’s cringe:
Implies dry, passive-aggressive energy.
✅
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

😖
Why it’s cringe:
It feels weird, awkward, and creepy.
✅
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

😖
Why it’s cringe:
It feels like a “mom text.”
✅
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

😖
Why it’s cringe:
Gives too intense or motivational poster energy.
✅
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

😖
Why it’s cringe:
Feels too retro and gives “trying too hard to be cool” vibes.
✅
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

😖
Why it’s cringe:
It’s Outdated
✅
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

😖
Why it’s cringe:
It feels spammy or overdone.
✅
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.

share this post

Facebook

Messenger

Linked In

Twitter