Emoji
/ɪˈmoʊ.dʒi/noun
A small digital image or icon used to express an idea, emotion, or concept in electronic communication.
Did you know?Emoji is a Japanese loanword, and its resemblance to English 'emotion' is pure coincidence: it comes from 絵 (e, 'picture') + 文字 (moji, 'character/script').
Etymological Timeline
19th Century
Japanese
絵文字 (e moji)
“A picture character or picture writing symbol.”
Late 20th Century
Japanese
emoji
“A pictographic character used in electronic messaging.”
1990s
Japanese
emoji
“Small digital pictographs used in mobile communication.”
2010s
English
emoji
“A digital icon used to express emotion or ideas in text.”
Explore more surprising origins