What Does the 😢😭 Crying Emoji Mean?

Co-authored by Aly Rusciano

Last Updated: June 10, 2022

Sometimes you need a good cry, and thankfully we have emojis to help us convey our sadness online. The 😢 (crying face) and 😭 (loudly crying face) emojis are two of the saddest emojis out there—but did you know they can mean so much more than shedding a few tears? Dry your eyes and keep reading! We’ve got everything you need to know about these crying emojis, from what they mean to how to use them.

Section 1 of 5:

😢 (Crying Face) Emoji Meanings

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The 😢 emoji conveys sad emotions. If you’re feeling blue, this crying emoji is for you. The signal tear, wilted brows, and frown depict that devastating hollow feeling you get right before you burst into tears. Because of this, you may see someone using the 😢 to say, “I’m a little sad.”^{[1]
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- “Why can’t I just be happy? 😢”
- “I wish you were here with me 😢”
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A 😢 emoji represents anxiety and depression. The nervous look in this crying emoji’s eyes is no lie. A common usage of the 😢 is to pair it with an anxious or depressed thought. If a friend adds this emoji to their social media, reach out to see if they’re okay.^{[2]
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- “Sometimes the world doesn’t seem worth saving 😢”
- “I think I failed that test 😢”
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The 😢 emoji expresses empathy. You can use this crying emoji to say, “I understand” or “I’m sorry.” Even if you’re not sad yourself, the 😢 can help someone realize you know how they feel. With this meaning, the 😢 is often paired with a ❤️.
- “😢 You don’t have to go through this alone ❤️”
- “I want to give you the biggest hug right now 😢”

Section 2 of 5:

When to Use the 😢 (Crying Face) Emoji

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When you’re upset: Use a 😢 to tell your friends you’re not feeling the best. Maybe you had a bad day or are just feeling a little blue. Either way, popping this crying emoji at the end of a text shows just how you feel.
- “I just don’t know how to move on 😢”
- “This has been the worst Monday in the history of Mondays 😢😩”
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When you’re about to cry: Send a 😢 to say, “I just wanna cry.” You’re not yet ready to cry your eyes out, but you feel the waterworks coming.
- “I wish I knew what to do next. But nothing seems right 😢”
- “Can I come over, friend? 😢”
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When you’re anxious or depressed: Put a 😢 at the end of a message to express feelings of doubt, sadness, and overall anguish. This crying emoji is perfect for existential crises and heartbreaks, especially when paired with a 💔.
- “Everything just seems so empty lately 😢 Is this what an existential crisis is?”
- “She dumped me 😢💔”
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When you’re consoling a friend: Sending a 😢 and ❤️ to a friend is a great way to say, “I’m here for you.” Maybe they’ve just opened up about their past or let you know about what an awful day they’ve had. When paired with a heart, this crying emoji expresses empathy and tells your friend you hear them loud and clear.
- “I can’t believe that happened. I wish I were there to hug you 😢❤️”
- “I’m so sorry to hear about your loss 😢 I’m here for you. Always 💕”

Section 3 of 5:

😭 (Loudly Crying Face) Emoji Meanings

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The 😭 emoji symbolizes a sob. In many cases, this crying emoji means exactly what it looks like. If someone is ready to ball their eyes out or extremely sad, they’ll most likely pair a 😭 with other sad emojis like 💔 or 🥀.
- “My heart breaks for everyone overseas 💔 What has our world come to? 😭😭”
- “RIP Grandpa 🥀 I’ll miss your Sunday morning pancakes 😭💔”
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A 😭 emoji represents uncontrollable emotions. Whether positive or negative, this crying emoji conveys any and all intense feelings like devastation, grief, and even joy. If you ever feel like you’re going to burst into tears, the 😭 emoji is for you.
- “I can’t believe my favorite TV show is over 😭😭”
- “I can’t wait to see you, dude!! It’s been too long! 😭😭😭😭”
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The 😭 emoji also means “LOL.” Have you ever laughed so hard you burst into tears? This crying emoji has replaced the 😂 in recent years and has become a symbol of laughter. These two emojis are often paired together to say, “I’m crying from laughter!”^{[3]
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- “Did Dave tell you his latest story? Can’t believe a squirrel did that! 😂😭
- “STOP! You’re killing me with all this humor! 😂😭”

Section 4 of 5:

When to Use the 😭 (Loudly Crying Face) Emoji

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When you’re crying IRL: Throw a series of 😭 after a message to emphasize your tears. Maybe they’re happy tears; maybe they’re sad tears. Either way, a bunch of crying emojis says, “I’M CRYING!”
- “MY FAVORITE BAND IS COMING TO VEGAS 😭😭😭”
- “How could he break up with me? He couldn’t even do it in person! He had to do it over a 30-second phone call 😭😭😭”
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When you’re grieving: Use a 😭 and 🥀 if you’ve lost a loved one. These two emojis are enough to tell your friends and followers that you need some time.
- “RIP Grandma. You’ll be missed 😭🥀”
- “This has been the hardest week of my life. I miss you, dad 😭💔🥀”
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When you’re obsessed with something: Place a handful of 😭 at the end of a message conveying love for a band, celebrity, book, movie, you name it! Your obsession is real, and you can get your overwhelming love across by pairing this crying emoji with a fan-obsessed statement.
- “THIS NEW ALBUM IS KILLING ME AND I’M NOT OKAY 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭”
- “Did you see that transformation? 🤯 These superhero movies are EVERYTHING 😭😭”
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When you’re laughing hysterically: Send a 😭 and 😂 to a friend when they’ve made you laugh. This combo is a great way to say, “I’m laughing so hard I’m crying!” If something’s got you rolling on the floor LOLing, use the 😭.
- “Dude! Have you seen this cat video 😂😭”
- “I look like a potato in this picture! I CAN’T! 😂😂😭😭”

Section 5 of 5:

Pairing the 😢 (Crying Face) and 😭 (Loudly Crying Face) Emojis

The 😢 and 😭 emojis together mean absolute gloom. This is the ultimate statement of sadness, a cry for help in the great unknown. The waterworks are here, your heart is breaking, and only the power of the crying emojis combined can emulate your pain.
- “I JUST WANT THINGS TO WORK 😭😭😭😭 Please, universe? 😢”
- “He was the best dog you could’ve asked for 😢😭💔”
- “This isn’t fair!! 😢😢😢😭😭😭”
- “😭😢😭😢😭😢😭😢”