The emoticon ":3" is commonly used in online and text-based communication as a playful or cute expression. Generally, it represents a cat face or a playful smirk. Here's how:
- Cat face: The "3" looks like the mouth of a cat when it's seen from the side. So, ":3" is often used to represent a cute cat. It's frequently used after a joke or a playful message.
- Playful Smirk: It can also signify a playful or mischievous smirk, similar to the anime/manga expression which suggests teasing or joking.
However, like all other emoticons, the meaning of ":3" can vary depending on the context and the relationship between the communicators.
Learn more:
- What Does :3 Mean?
- Lexico's Entry on :3