UWU is an emotion that is used to convey happiness, shyness, and cuteness during online conversations.
“Not just three letters — UWU meaning is a whole world of cuteness overlord with feelings.”
It is not a slang word, but an emoticon that resembles a cute smiley face. It melts the whole internet and represents the soft feelings of individuals. So, you can also use this word to express happiness and cuteness on social media.
But how do you do that? That’s why I break down what does UWU mean, its origin, and how to use it in online conversations here. Additionally, you will explore whether it is safe for kids or not.
So, stay tuned to this article to stay in the loop with modern lingos!
Quick answer:
UWU is an emoticon of a smiley face that represents warmth, happiness, and cuteness.

UWU is not a shortened form; it’s a text emoticon that represents a cute, smiling, and smug face. It is often used to express happiness, self-satisfaction, and excitement.
Moreover, UWU meaning pronounced as “oo-uh” or “oo-woo.” The “U” resembles the two closed eyes, and the “W” is supposed to be a smiling face. You can typically use this emoticon in online chatting and on social media platforms to showcase your affectionate feelings.
Examples of UWU face:
- “Your bag is printed with so many cute stickers. UWU!”
- “This baby is so adorable, UWU.”
- “I am feeling so cute today, UWU.”
- “STG, your puppy is so cute, UWU.”
Usually not, UWU is used to show a blushing and smiling face. However, the perception solely depends on an individual’s choice or familiarity with culture and fandom.
On Reddit, people discuss whether the UWU meaning is inappropriate or not. But I found that one user, @Let01, said, “uwu or owo on itself doesnt mean anything bad, they are text faces like, 🙂 🙁 :D. Its not inappropiate but its a bit weird to my point of view, its related to the furry fandom because they use it excessively.”

In contrast, another user, @Maranne_, said, “I’m pretty sure it’s mostly used in sexual situations, so I wouldn’t use it in the classroom.” The conversation indicates that the UWU meaning can be inappropriate or appropriate for kids, depending on the context and the person’s viewpoint.

After acquiring knowledge on “what is UWU” and “is UWU an inappropriate word,” skim through the next section to determine whether it is safe for kids or not.

The safety of kids using the UWU emoticon depends on the context.
As you all know, “what does UWU mean” is used as a symbol of a smug and smiley face. Teens or minors employ this word to convey shyness, warmth, or innocent feelings, indicating its harmless nature. Hence, it is safe for kids to use among friends and family members.
However, many people claimed that the U W U meaning is used in sexual and explicit content. Therefore, it is not safe for kids to use this emoticon among strangers on social media, leading them to encounter child grooming.
As a concerned parent, you must monitor how your children use the UWU face and with whom they are interacting. This way, you protect them from pedophiles and strangers.
Despite this, you have to install and set up parental controls on your kids’ devices to enhance their safety and privacy. It’s a wise decision to monitor their online activities, restrict inappropriate content, and set screen limits with the advanced features of parental controls like Norton Family and Bark.

The UWU word has its roots in Japanese. It is related to the popular concept of kawaii, which means “adorable” and “cute,” to symbolize precious things like clothing, animals, and mascot characters.
After that, the term is also known as “kaomoji,” which is used to combine emojis with Japanese characters and is considered cute. Also, the first recorded use of the UWU word was noticed in a fan fiction related to the popular anime, Yu-Gi-Oh, published in 2005.
Later, in 2012, Urban Dictionary described it as another way to write a smiley face that looks like an overjoyed anime character. From now on, it is commonly used on online forums, social media apps, and in text messages.
I know, you might be wondering how to use the UWU emoticon in conversations. Therefore, to quench your thirst, dive into the subsequent section.
You can use UWUW to express happiness in a playful manner, in response to a compliment, and to convey shyness. It is a versatile word, which indicates that you can use it according to your preferences.
Let’s take a look at the real-time examples to learn its usage in online conversations.
You can use the UWU meaning to convey happiness and self-satisfaction. It is also used to react to something positively cute or delightful.
Example 1:
You: “UWU, my OOTD looks so pretty and cute.”
Friend: “You are true, it’s cute.”
Example 2:
You: “See, the most uwu kitty I have.”
Neighbor: “Aww, she is really cute.”
UWU is used to make fun of your friends’ not-so-serious defeats or flexing your victories. It adds humor with a cute tone in online conversations, making everyone laugh.
Example 1:
You: “Sorry, buddy, I can’t help if I win one more time. UWU!”
Friend: “I think it’s your day.”You: “I behave like an uwu child because I like you so much.”
Spouse: “I already know your behavior, ML.”
Furthermore, you can use this emoticon in response to “thank you” when someone praises your looks, efforts, and skills. It just showcases that their positive comment is valuable to you.
Example 1:
You: “You called me cute. UWU, thank you so much.”
Someone: “YW, I say what I feel.”
Example 2:
You: “UWU, thank you for complimenting my paintings.”
Someone: “It’s my pleasure to see such beautiful art.”
Sometimes, UWU is also used to convey a blushing face or shyness during an online conversation. This is generally a case where you are asking for something from another person.
Example 1:
You: “Which dress do you think looks pretty on me? UWU!”
Boyfriend: “I think the pink one looks good on you.”
Example 2:
You: “Would you please pick me up from the office? UWU.”
Best Friend: “OFC, what time should I come?”
That is the detailed guidance on “what does UWU mean?”
UWU meaning is a text-based emoticon that is used as a symbol of two closed eyes with a smiling face. Therefore, you can employ this word to express happiness, cuteness, and shyness.
Since it is safe for kids, you should install parental controls to add an extra layer of protection to their digital space. This way, you can simply watch over whom they can interact with and safeguard them from strangers.
UWU is an emotion that is used to convey happiness, shyness, and cuteness during online conversations.
Yes, people use UWU in a flirtatious manner. But it can also express a general reaction to something adorable.
If a boy says “UWU” in a text message or on social media, it typically means he is expressing the feeling of happiness with a gentle smile.
Yes, UWU is safe for kids because it is a gentle and harmless word used to express cute feelings.
