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What does it really mean when someone texts you the ๐ (waving) emoji? Weโre here to explain everything! The ๐ (waving) emoji is also commonly called the hello emoji or the hand wave emoji, and it can be used in several ways across text messages and social media. Weโve put together a complete guide to the ๐ (waving) emoji, including a thorough overview of its meanings, uses, and tips on how to reply to it.
Things You Should Know
- The ๐ (waving) emoji generally means โhello,โ or โgoodbye," though it can also be a sassy, sarcastic way to say โgo away.โ
- Use the ๐ (waving) emoji to begin or end texting conversations with people in a friendly way.
- Alternatively, use the ๐ (waving) emoji to snarkily end a conversation (or an entire relationship) with someone who is bothering you.
Steps
What does the ๐ (waving) emoji mean?
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1The ๐ (waving) emoji means โhello!โ When you see someone in person, itโs common practice to give a little wave when you say hi to them. You can also do more or less the same thing over text or instant message and greet the people you textโsince the ๐ emoji mimics the gesture of a hand waving hello.[1] X Research source
- โHey, you! ๐ Howโs it going?โ
- โHi!! ๐ Just checking inโare we still good to see that movie on Saturday?โ
- The ๐ (waving) emoji technically comes in a variety of different shades representing different skin tones (๐๐ป๐๐ผ๐๐ฝ๐๐พ๐๐ฟ). You can use the default ๐ emoji or pick the one closest to your skin tone.
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2The ๐ (waving) emoji can also mean โgoodbye.โ You can wave at someone as a greeting or a goodbye; it really just depends on the context. So, when the ๐ emoji is paired with a farewell message or is sent at the end of a conversation, it means โgoodbyeโ or โtalk to you later.โ[2] X Research source
- โGotta run now! TTYL! ๐โ
- โTalk again later? I should get to work now. Bye! ๐โ
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3A ๐ (waving) emoji can be a sarcastic way to tell someone to go away. When youโre feeling annoyed or fed up with someone, the ๐ emoji can symbolize your desire for them to leave you alone. It can mean anything from โI donโt want to talk right nowโ to โWeโre over! Go away,โ if you decide to break up with a romantic interest or take a break from a friendship.[3] X Research source
- โYeah, IDK why Tinder matched us, this definitely isn't a good fit. Boy, bye! ๐โ
- โWe were friends for a while, but she got so negative lately. I had to say bye to that! ๐โ
- Breaking up committed relationships this way isn't common, but you may see it used by people who don't like their match on a dating app, for example, or decide the person they've gone on a couple of dates with isn't right for them.
Using the ๐ (Waving) Emoji
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1Send the ๐ (waving) emoji to get someoneโs attention or greet them. To start an exchange over text (or social media message), using the ๐ emoji is a great way to kick things off. Send the emoji alongside your initial message to give a friendly and enthusiastic greeting and get the conversation started on a positive note.[4] X Research source
- โGood morning! ๐ Ready to grab breakfast yet?โ
- โHey bestie! ๐ I miss you!!โ
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2End a text conversation and say goodbye with the ๐ (waving) emoji. When a text exchange reaches a natural stopping pointโor youโre just short on time and need to dashโmake it clear that youโre done talking for the moment with the ๐ emoji. Pair it with a light and friendly goodbye message to get your message across.
- โOMG, time flew by! Gotta say goodbye for now! ๐โ
- โHey, can I text you later? Iโm getting a call from my mom now. ๐โ
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3Tell someone mockingly to leave you alone using the ๐ (waving) emoji. When someone is truly getting on your nerves, you can always use the ๐ emoji to tell them that you want them to go away. You can also use the ๐ emoji to tell someone else about your conflict with this person and describe your feelings about them.
- โI really didnโt appreciate the way you spoke to me earlier. So, bye. ๐โ
- โMy little sister told me I had to let her use my phone. ๐ Girl, BYE ๐โ
- Remember that a flippant text might upset the other personโso, if youโre worried about their reaction, choose a more neutral message. Otherwise, go ahead and tell them how you really feel.
Responding to the ๐ (Waving) Emoji
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1Say "hello" back when someone greets you with a ๐ (waving) emoji. Did your friend start a text conversation with you using a ๐ emoji? There are plenty of easy ways you can answer; you could send your own ๐ emoji or give a simple, enthusiastic hello, before responding directly to whatever message they send you.
- Person 1: โHi! ๐ Got time to chat?โ
- Person 2: โHey there! ๐ Yeah, of course, whatโs up?โ
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2Send your own farewell after someone signs off with a ๐ (waving) emoji. When the person youโre texting tries to end a conversation with a ๐ emoji, you can wave goodbye in return or respond with your version of a goodbye message. You could always make loose plans to talk again later while youโre at it.
- Person 1: โI need to get some work done now. Talk later? ๐โ
- Person 2: โSure thing! Iโll shoot you a text tomorrow afternoon! ๐โ
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3Give them some space if someone sends a sarcastic ๐ (waving) emoji. If you get a text from someone thatโs clearly a bit mocking and essentially says โgoodbyeโ in a sassy, snarky way, the person texting you is probably looking for some space. They want you to know that theyโre done talking to you for the moment, and the best way to respond is to simply give them what they need.
- Person 1: โWhatever, bye ๐โ
- Person 2: โGoodbye. If you want to talk out whatever is wrong, you know where to find me.โ
- If you know that you said or did something to upset them, offering an apology might help you mend the relationship.
- If you donโt know whatโs wrong, however, the best way to navigate that might simply be to let them know your door is open if they ever feel like talking things out.
Combinations with the ๐ Emoji
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1Use the ๐ and ๐ฅ emojis to say โmilkshake.โ Since the hand in the ๐ (waving) emoji design could be described as shaking slightly, stringing it together with the ๐ฅ (milk) emoji is a fun way to say โmilkshakeโ (๐ฅ๐). You could bring up your favorite milkshake flavors, gush about how much you want one, or invite somebody to grab a delicious milkshake with you using the combo.
- โOooooh. Do you know what sounds really good right now? ๐ฅ๐โ
- โI know this place that does the best milkshakes. Wanna go with me sometime? ๐ฅ๐โ
- You can use the ๐ผ (milk bottle) emoji to write โmilkshakeโ alternatively. In that case, the combination would be ๐ผ๐.
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2Tell someone to wash their hands with the ๐ฆ ๐ and ๐ง emojis. This colorful string of emojis doesnโt directly spell out a word or phrase, but it does make your wishes pretty clear! Send someone the ๐ฆ (germ), ๐ (waving), and ๐ง (water drop) emojis when you need them to wash their handsโor, alternatively, when you need to wash your own hands soon.
- โWait, did you remember to wash your hands? ๐ฆ ๐๐ง Remember, you canโt be too careful!โ
- โUgh, I need to wash my hands so badly. ๐ฆ ๐๐ง Iโm gonna be so uncomfortable until I get home!โ
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3Send someone a goodbye kiss with the ๐ and ๐ emojis. Since the ๐ (waving) emoji can be synonymous with โgoodbye,โ pairing it with the ๐ (kiss) emoji can be like giving someone a kiss goodbye. Use this adorable combination when sending goodbye texts to your loved ones, especially a partner or significant other. Let them know how much you care!
- โGoodbye, babe! ๐๐ Iโll text you again first thing in the morning!โ
- โBye, my love! ๐๐ Give me a call when you land safely at your destination, okay? โ๏ธโ