What Does the 😕 Confused Face Emoji Mean?

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No need to scratch your head in confusion over what this emoji means

Co-authored by Ali Garbacz, B.A. Reviewed by Candace Gasper

Last Updated: February 4, 2025 Fact Checked

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😕 (Confused Face) Emoji Meanings

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Responses

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Similar Emojis

Someone just sent you the 😕 (confused face) emoji, but now you’re confused about what they’re trying to say. Don’t worry, we’ve got your back and are here to explain what this emoji means, how to use it, and how to respond when someone sends it to you. No need to be confused, because soon you’ll know everything this half-frowning face is trying to tell you.

Things You Should Know

The 😕 (confused face) emoji is used to mean someone is confused or displeased about something.
It can also be used in an indirect way to express frustration, sadness or uncertainty.
🤔 (thinking face), 😐 (neutral face), 🤷 (person shrugging), and 😖 (confounded face) can also be used to express confusion along with unique added nuances.

Section 1 of 3:

😕 (Confused Face) Emoji Meanings

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1
The 😕 (confused face) lets others know you’re seriously confused. This emoji is a way to let the other person know you’re confused about what’s going on, what they said, or what’s expected of you. Maybe the friend you’re talking to isn’t making any sense or you need something explained better. Stick this emoji in your message to them to let them know that you’re kind of lost.^{[1]
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- “What are you talking about? 😕”
- “Huh? 😕”
- “😕 I’m so lost.”
- “😕 Ok I’m going to need you to run that by me again.”
- This is definitely not something you want to use in a professional setting and is meant more for casual conversations between friends. If you’re confused at work, a simple question will suffice.
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😕 adds a note of disappointment to your message. This emoji’s slight frown makes it the perfect way to passive-aggressively let someone know that you’re feeling kind of let down. Maybe they canceled plans with you or decided to do something that they said they wouldn’t. Adding 😕 to your message is like shaking your head and wagging your finger at them in emoji form.^{[2]
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- “So we’re not hanging out? 😕”
- “Oh 😕 I see.”
- “Didn’t you say you’d be here soon? 😕”
- “😕 So…I guess Saturday’s off then.”
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Adding 😕 can mean you’re feeling frustrated. You’re not explicitly saying you’re mad, but the other person will definitely be able to tell you’re not happy when you send the 😕 emoji. If you’re getting impatient because someone’s taking forever to decide something, or if you’re frustrated by someone’s nagging, send them 😕 so that they get the message.^{[3]
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- “😕I heard you the first time. I’ll get it done, don’t worry.”
- “😕 You’re kidding right?”
- “Can we just decide on a place now? 😕”
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😕 means you’re feeling unsure or hesitant. Along with the confusion 😕 expresses, it also carries a sense of uncertainty and a kind of insecurity. Maybe you’re giving someone an answer but aren’t 100% confident about its accuracy. Or maybe you’re hesitating on making a big decision. You can still send a reply, but adding 😕 will let the other person know you’re still not completely on board.^{[4]
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- “I mean I think that’s right 😕”
- “Yeah, Saturday is probably good with me? 😕”
- “That’s just what I think but I could be wrong 😕”
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Sending 😕 can also mean you’re feeling a bit sad. That downturned frown will let the other person know that you’re also feeling a bit down. You might not want to necessarily get into the reasons why you’re not feeling too great, but let them know you’re not at your best with 😕.^{[5]
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- “Today was terrible 😕”
- “Remind me why I decided to work 12 hour shifts 😕”
- “😕 I don’t even want to think about that right now.”

Section 2 of 3:

Responses

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Give them an explanation or clarification. If the other person is genuinely confused about what’s happening, get them up to speed by explaining the situation again. They’re clearly trying to tell you that they’re feeling lost by sending 😕, so help them out where you can. Along with that, you can send some cutesy emojis as an apology for confusing them.
- “Haha sorry didn’t mean to confuse you 😇”
- “That’s alright 😘 Let me explain…”
- “Oops 🤭 Sorry let me try that again.”
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Send 😕 back to let them know you feel the same way. If you’re feeling just as confused, frustrated, or sad as them, show your sympathy by sending 😕.
- “😕 y’all I’m just as confused as you.”
- “Yeah 😕 today kinda sucks.”
- “Can’t they just decide already? 😕”
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Let them know it’s not that big of a deal. If the other person is making a fuss out of something that’s not all that important, use something like the 🤷 (shrugging person) emoji to let them know it’s not that important of an issue.
- Them: “I’m so confused 😕”
- You: “Honestly it’s fine 🤷They’ll probably explain it later.”

Section 3 of 3:

Similar Emojis

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The 🤔 (thinking face) emoji means you’re giving the situation a lot of thought. This emoji is like saying “Hmmm” with a little emoticon. Like 😕, it also expresses confusion, but can also be used when you’re in the middle of making a decision or trying to find the answer to something.
- “Huh that’s weird 🤔”
- “Hm 🤔 Ok let me think about it.”
- “🤔 I’m not sure but I’ll look it up.”
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The 😐 (neutral face) emoji is used when you don’t have any thoughts. Being a truly neutral expression, this emoji can be used to let the other person know you don’t have an opinion about what they’re talking about. It can relate to 😕 in that you may just be so confused that you have absolutely no thoughts or opinions to contribute.
- “😐 ok.”
- “I honestly have no idea 😐”
- “😐 I am very lost so I’m just not going to say anything.”
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The 🤷 (person shrugging) emoji means you’re confused but don’t care. Someone just asked you a question and left you super confused. But also, you don’t really care to ask for an explanation or clarification. In that case, sending 🤷 will convey both your confusion and lack of interest perfectly.^{[6]
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- “🤷 Ok.”
- “🤷 I don’t know.”
- “I don’t know but tbh I don’t care 🤷”
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😖 (confounded face) is confusion and frustration taken to the next level. While the slight frown on the face of 😕 gets across a feeling of mild displeasure and confusion, 😖 lets the other person know that you’ve just about had it and are probably going to burst into tears soon because you’re so confused and frustrated.^{[7]
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- “I have no idea what’s going on 😖”
- “Can someone PLEASE just tell me what’s happening 😖”
- “😖 You’re not making any sense!”