What Does OwO Mean in Text or Online?

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Therian Phenic Fox explains the origins of the OwO face

Co-authored by Phenic Fox and Raven Minyard, BA

Last Updated: February 2, 2026 Fact Checked

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• OwO Meaning
|
• How It’s Used
|
• Origins
|
• Similar Emoticons
|
• Other Meanings

|Show more |Show less

OwO what’s this?? If you spend a lot of time on the internet, you’ve probably seen the emoticon OwO. This emoticon represents a cute, curious face and is often used in the furry fandom. If you want to learn more, keep reading as we explain what OwO means, how to use it, where it came from, and more.

OwO Emoticon Explained

Therian Phenic Fox says that OwO is meant to be a cute face that originated in online roleplaying and memes. The Os represent two open eyes, while the w symbolizes a cute, cat-like mouth. The emoticon is typically used to show surprise, curiosity, or cuteness, though it can also express flirtation or sexual interest.

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Section 1 of 5:

What does OwO mean?

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1. 
   OwO is an emoticon that shows surprise, curiosity, or cuteness. It’s commonly used in the furry fandom, especially during roleplay conversations. The Os represent two wide, open eyes, and the W represents a cutesy mouth, like an anime character or the mouth of a cat.

   • Fox says that this “cute little face” originated from role playing and was popularized through memes.
   • In some cases, OwO can also be used to express sexual excitement or interest.
   • Some also use the emoticon to troll and make fun of those who use it unironically.
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Section 2 of 5:

How is OwO used?

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1. 
   1
   Use OwO to express surprise, curiosity, or confusion. OwO is a cute way to let others know how you’re feeling. Since the Os represent large, wide eyes, this emoticon is often associated with playful confusion or shock. Try it out!

   • “I got a new puppy! OwO”
   • “Wait, could you explain that again? I’m confused. OwO”
   • “You finished a new drawing?? OwO I can’t wait to see it!”
2. 
   2
   Use OwO to flirt. While OwO has innocent origins, in some contexts, it can also be a bit sexual. Furries and other people may use it in roleplays or other text conversations to show excitement or interest. Just make sure the person you’re talking to is okay with turning the conversation in this direction!

   • “Wow, I never noticed how handsome you are~ OwO”
   • “*blushes* You’re so cute! OwO”
   • “Would you… want to go on a date sometime??? OwO”
3. 
   3
   Troll people online with OwO. Some people think emoticons like OwO are cringy, so they use them to troll their friends or people they talk to online. Try to keep things lighthearted, though, and don’t make fun of someone if you think it could really hurt their feelings. It’s best to play around with friends who understand your sense of humor.

   • “OwO what’s this????”
   • “Rawr! XD OwO”
   • “*kisses your hand and tips fedora* M’lady OwO”
   • If you really want to have fun with your friends, try out our UwU translator to turn any sentence into cutesy roleplay speak!
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Section 3 of 5:

OwO Origins

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1. 
   1
   OwO likely originated on the internet in the late '90s or early 2000s. Emojis may be our go-to these days, but before they were invented, people often used existing letters and symbols on the keyboard to create expressive icons known as emoticons. It is unclear who first used OwO, but it likely came about around the same time as other emoticons.

   • Specifically, OwO is a type of kaomoji, which refers to emoticons invented in Japan. This may be why emoticons like OwO are so popular within the furry and anime fandoms.
2. 
   2
   It gained attention in the furry fandom in 2015. On January 6, 2013, DeviantArt user CookiMuffinFaic made the first known use of the emoticon within the furry fandom. However, OwO didn’t really gain traction until two years later, when user MinotaurusPro uploaded a parody comic to Imgur. The comic depicted two furry fans sexually roleplaying with each other, and one of the characters responds, “Awww!~ *nuzzles u back and pounces on u and notices your bulge* OwO what’s this…?”

   • Even though the post was making fun of furries, it garnered a positive response and quickly gained the attention of the furry fandom.
   • The post also inspired several memes. The content often recreated the original post or made puns involving OwO and UwU.
   • In 2016, Seelmaru uploaded a song to YouTube that parodied the comic and memes.
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Section 4 of 5:

Similar Emoticons

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1. Other emoticons are often used alongside OwO. These emoticons were especially popular in the early 2000s before the rise of emojis, though many are still used in furry, anime, and roleplaying communities online. Here are some other common emoticons you might see:

   • UwU
   • ._.
   • O_o
   • -_- 3
   • TwT
   • ^w^
   • x_x
   • ^_^
   • e.e
   • >.<

Section 5 of 5:

Other OWO Meanings

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1. OWO can also be an acronym. While OwO is best known as an emoticon, the letters OWO can also stand for various things, depending on the context. Here are some of the most common acronyms:

   • Oral Without: Refers to performing oral sex without the use of a condom
   • Old War Office: A historical government building in the UK that is now a luxury hotel
   • One Woman Operation: a project or business run by one woman
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