What does :3 mean in text messaging and digital communication?

The colon three emoticon :3, is a character used in digital communication as a way to express a feeling of cuteness, being playful, cheekiness, or acting cute and mischievous. The character resembles a cat's face with the "3" representing a pair of puckered lips or a sideways mouth which can be correlated with various expressions including a giggle or a grin.

Here are a few instances on how :3 can be used in messages:

• :3 Used at the end of a cheeky or playful comment.
• :3 Used to portray the act of being cute or a state of cuteness.
• :3 Used in reaction to an adorable, funny or pleasing event, phrase or discussion.

It's essential to remember that the perception of emoticons can be subjective and might vary with context, tone, and personal interpretations.

Learn more:

1. 3 Meaning: What Does :3 Mean? | Cyber Definitions(source)
2. :3 Definition | Internet Lingo(source)
3. What Does :3 Mean? | Seventeen