Crying Emoji 😭: Meaning, Usage, and More
A guide to crying emojis, including meanings, copy-paste tools, and cultural usage as of 2025.
Quick Crying Emoji Copy and Paste Tool
Kaomoji Crying Emojis
Official Crying Emoji Meanings
Every emoji has an official name and meaning assigned by the Unicode Consortium. Here are the foundational definitions for the most common crying-related emojis.
😭 Loudly Crying Face
This intense emoji features a wailing mouth and waterfalls of tears pouring from closed eyes. While officially representing deep grief, it's most often used today to show overwhelming positive emotions, like laughing until you cry, extreme pride, or just finding something incredibly cute. It joined the Unicode standard in 2010.
😢 Crying Face
A softer expression of sadness, featuring a gentle frown and a single, perfectly timed tear. Unlike its louder counterpart (😭), this emoji represents genuine, moderate disappointment, hurt feelings, or empathetic sorrow, rather than overwhelming emotion.
🥺 Pleading Face
Known for its massive, irresistible 'puppy dog' eyes. It's the ultimate symbol for begging for a favor ('please? 🥺'), feeling shy, or reacting to something heartbreakingly adorable. It often accompanies crying emojis to add a layer of vulnerability.
🥹 Face Holding Back Tears
This face is trying its best not to cry. It perfectly captures that feeling of being choked up with emotion, whether it's from pride, gratitude, or just witnessing a beautiful moment. It's a happy, touched kind of cry.
Beyond Sadness: How Crying Emojis Are Really Used in 2025
In 2025, the 😭 emoji is commonly used to express intense emotions beyond sadness, such as laughter or excitement, especially among younger users. For example, it often replaces 😂 for 'laughing so hard I'm crying'. Social media trends show it in memes for exaggeration or irony.
Examples:
- Used for sadness, happiness, or anger:
"I use this when I'm Sad, Happy, Angry!"
- In memes: Often paired with phrases like "We fat🥀 We chopped🥀" for disappointment.
- Generational differences: Older users may interpret it literally as crying, while Gen Z uses it for humor.
Crying Emoji Platform Variations
The appearance of the 😭 Loudly Crying Face emoji can vary significantly across different platforms and devices. Here’s a comparison of how it looks on major systems like Apple, Google, Facebook, and more.
Apple Crying Emoji
Apple iOS 18.4
Facebook Crying Emoji
Facebook 15.0
Google Crying Emoji (Noto)
Google Noto Color 17.0
Animated Google Emoji
Animated Google Noto Color 16.0
Google Crying Emoji (Font)
Google Noto Emoji Font 17.0
JoyPixels Crying Emoji
JoyPixels 9.0
LG Crying Emoji
LG Velvet
Messenger Crying Emoji
Messenger 1.0
Microsoft 3D Crying Emoji
Microsoft 3D Fluent 16.0
Mozilla Crying Emoji
Mozilla Firefox OS 2.5
Samsung Crying Emoji
Samsung One UI 7.0
Animated Telegram Emoji
Animated Telegram 2023.11
Twitter Crying Emoji
Twitter Twemoji 15.0.3
WhatsApp Crying Emoji
WhatsApp 2.25.9.78
FAQ
😭 vs. 😢: What's the Real Difference?
While both emojis express sadness, their intensity and modern usage are very different. Here's a breakdown to help you choose the right one.
| Feature | 😭 Loudly Crying Face | 😢 Crying Face |
|---|---|---|
| Visuals | Rivers of tears, open wailing mouth | A single tear, slight frown |
| Emotional Intensity | High. Overwhelming, uncontrollable, extreme. | Moderate. Disappointed, hurt, gentle sadness. |
| Primary Meaning | Inconsolable grief, sobbing. | Moderate sadness or disappointment. |
| Modern Usage | Often not sad. Used for laughing uncontrollably, overwhelming joy, or extreme frustration. | Almost always means sadness. Its meaning is literal and sincere. |
| Vibe | Dramatic, Hyperbolic | Sincere, Subdued |
Use 😭 when the emotion is extreme, exaggerated, or out of control. Use it for sobbing, laughing hysterically, being overjoyed, or feeling comically defeated.
Use 😢 when you want to express sincere, moderate sadness or disappointment. Use it when you feel genuinely bummed out or want to show someone sympathy.
What does 😭 mean in memes?
In memes, the 😭 (Loudly Crying Face) emoji is almost never about genuine sadness.
Instead, it’s a powerful tool for dramatic, ironic, and relatable exaggeration. It's used to amplify a reaction to a situation, turning a simple feeling into a theatrical performance.
How has usage changed by 2025?
It has become more versatile, often indicating humor rather than just sadness.