๐Ÿค”KnowYourEmoji
EmojisInterpreterPricingAbout
๐Ÿค”KnowYourEmoji

Understand what emojis really mean in context. Decode social cues, platform differences, and generational nuances.

Navigation

  • Emojis
  • Interpreter
  • About

Legal

  • Privacy
  • Terms

ยฉ 2026 KnowYourEmoji. All rights reserved.

Open Source on GitHub
  1. Home
  2. /Emojis
  3. /Smileys & Faces
  4. /๐Ÿ˜ฌ Grimacing Face
๐Ÿ˜ฌ

Grimacing Face

Unicode: U+1F62C

Shortcodes: :grimacing:

TL;DR

The 'yikes' emoji. Shows awkwardness, tension, or cringing at something.

Context Meanings

Literal
LOW Risk

Expressing awkwardness or discomfort.

Example: โ€œThat was awkward ๐Ÿ˜ฌโ€

Slang
LOW Risk

Reacting to a cringe situation or mistake.

Example: โ€œJust saw the email I sent drunk ๐Ÿ˜ฌโ€

Passive-Aggressive
MEDIUM Risk

Commenting on someone else's awkward moment.

Example: โ€œThat take was... something ๐Ÿ˜ฌโ€

Work
LOW Risk

Acknowledging a tense or uncomfortable situation.

Example: โ€œThat meeting was rough ๐Ÿ˜ฌโ€

Platform Notes

Twitter/X

Common for cringe reactions or awkward observations.

Slack

Used for awkward work moments - relatively professional.

TikTok

Standard cringe reaction in comments.

Generational Differences

Gen Z

The 'yikes' face - used for anything cringe.

Millennial

Same usage - awkwardness and cringe.

Boomer

May interpret as just an awkward smile.

Warnings

โš ๏ธ

Cringe implication

LOW

Using this in response to someone can imply their content was cringeworthy.

Technical Details

Unicode
U+1F62C
Version
6.1
Category
Smileys & Faces
Subcategory
face-negative
๐Ÿ˜ฌ๐Ÿ˜…

Awkward Yikes

Used when witnessing something cringeworthy or being in an awkward situation. Yikes energy.

๐Ÿ™‚๐Ÿ˜ฌ

Tense Politeness

Used when trying to be polite but things are awkward or tense. Forced smile energy.

๐Ÿ˜…๐Ÿ˜ฌ

Nervous Laughter

Used in awkward situations where you're nervously laughing but also cringing. Social anxiety in emoji form.

๐Ÿ˜ 

Angry Face

Shows genuine anger or frustration. Use when actually upset, not as a joke.

๐Ÿ˜ฐ

Anxious Face with Sweat

Anxious, stressed, nervous, or worried about something.

๐Ÿ˜ฒ

Astonished Face

Shocked, surprised, or mind-blown. Genuine astonishment.

๐Ÿคก

Clown Face

Calling someone (or yourself) a fool. 'Look at this clown' or self-deprecating humor.

๐Ÿ˜•

Confused Face

Shows confusion, skepticism, or mild disappointment. The 'I don't get it' face.

๐Ÿค 

Cowboy Hat Face

Yeehaw energy, country vibes, or hiding sadness behind a smile.

๐Ÿ˜‚

Face with Tears of Joy

The classic 'LOL' emoji - shows something is hilarious. Seen as outdated by Gen Z.

๐Ÿ˜˜

Face Blowing a Kiss

Sending love/kisses. More romantic than friendly, but used broadly.