11 Ways to Respond to a 👀 Side Eye Emoji Over Text

A guide to the 👀 emoji from friends, family, or your crush

Co-authored by Mark Rosenfeld and Maryana Lucia Vestic, MFA, M.Phil.

Last Updated: September 23, 2025 Fact Checked

The 👀 (eyes emoji), also known as the side-eye or “the eyes,” is as versatile as it is mysterious. Like most emojis, the 👀 (eyes emoji) can have different meanings depending on the context, though it’s mostly used for making funny observations, being nosy, or flirting. Keep reading for fun and flirty texts and emojis you can send in response to the mischievous 👀, including helpful advice from dating coach John Keegan and dating & relationship coach Mark Rosenfeld.

What do the 👀 (emoji eyes) mean?

Dating & relationship coach Mark Rosenfeld suggests that using emojis is an obvious way to express yourself in texts. When responding to the 👀(eyes emoji), consider its various meanings and usages. Generally, it’s used when you say something you’re not supposed to, when you’re “sus,” or attracted to someone.

1

Respond to a scandalous joke with a 😂 (tears of joy emoji).

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Send one of these to say, “I shouldn’t laugh at that, but I can’t help it!” When someone adds 👀 to a dirty or controversial joke, it can mean, “Who said that? It wasn’t me.” In this context, 😂 (tears of joy) emojis show that you’re bursting at the seams with laughter.^{[1]
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- If the joke makes you crack up so hard you might faint or metaphorically “die”, send 💀.
Meet the wikiHow Experts

John Keegan is a dating coach with over 15 years of professional experience in using dating, attraction, and social dynamics to help people find love.

Mark Rosenfeld is a dating and relationship coach who specializes in helping women find, attract, and keep extraordinary relationships.

2

Back up your friend’s opinion with a 💯 (one hundred emoji).

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Some people use 👀 when they say something they’re not supposed to say. They might’ve sent a rude or otherwise inappropriate remark. The fact that they’re telling you means they trust you not to hate them for saying it! Show them you’re 100% behind them by sending the 💯(one hundred emoji) back.^{[2]
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- For example, if they ask, “Was it just me, or was that party super lame? 👀” send back “💯 you’re so right.”

3

Send a 😶 (mouthless face) to show your lips are sealed.

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People sometimes use 👀 emoji to show that they’re being nosy. If they’re trying to prod juicy gossip or info out of you, use the 😶(mouthless emoji) to show them that you’re unsure if you should tell them or that you really don’t know the answer.^{[3]
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- For example, “😶 I have no idea what you’re talking about!”
- This might not stop them from asking again, so be prepared to either give them the truth or tell them you can’t.

4

Tell them the feeling is mutual with your own 👀 (eyes emoji).

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In a flirty context, 👀 (eyes emoji) can show someone you’re interested. It’s almost like the sender is peeking at the other person, or trying to make eye contact across a crowded room. Send the 👀 (eyes emoji) back to tell them that you see them, and you’re looking right back at them!^{[4]
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- For example, if someone says “Hey 👀,” you can send them “Hi 👀” back.
- Using additional emojis can be a fun and silly way to start a flirty exchange. Keegan believes that using a lot of emojis is “usually a flirty sign” that allows you to “be playful and light-hearted by flirting and being silly.”^{[5]
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- If you really want to let them know how interested you are, send a 😍(heart eyes) emoji back at them. When you send a heart eyes emoji in return, it indicates that “something made you smile,” adds Keegan.^{[6]
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5

Start a friendly conversation with a neutral 👋 (waving) emoji.

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Try this one out if you’re not sure about the person's intentions. For instance, if the 👀 was used flirtatiously but you’re not quite ready to get down to the nitty-gritty, just say hi and see where things go from there. This is a way to show that you’re interested in chatting without committing to anything or getting their hopes up.^{[7]
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- This can show less mutual attraction than sending 👀 back.

6

Add a 😉 (winking face) to make any response cheekier.

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Send a 😉 their way to show that you’re down to flirt. Use this to test the waters before taking the conversation in a spicier direction. The 😉(winking face) emoji lets you play it cool and wait for the other person to make their move.^{[8]
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- For example, if they say “Hi handsome 👀,” you can send back “Hi 😉.”
- Add this to almost anything to make your text more flirty.
- For example, compare “I’m not doing anything” to “I’m not doing anything. 😉”
- Think of this as a PG-rated response to a flirty 👀.

7

Reply to a flirty compliment with a suave 😎 (sunglasses emoji).

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If someone uses 👀 to say they’re interested in you, show them you know your worth. The calm and collected 😎 (sunglasses) emoji response says, “Yeah, I know.” Being a little cool and aloof can be both attractive to them and empowering for you!^{[9]
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- For example, use this if someone says, “Wow, I can’t stop staring at that photo of you. 👀”
- To add a little sass, try using 💅 or 💁‍♀️ instead.

8

Play coy with a playful innocent 🙈 (monkey) or 😇 (angel) emoji.

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Win their heart with cute reactions. If the 👀 (eyes emoji) was used in a flirty way, pretending to be embarrassed can make you look extra cute. In this context, it says, “Me? I have no idea what you’re talking about.” This can be a funny and sweet way to get them to keep saying nice things to you or play hard to get.^{[10]
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- For example, you could use this if they say, “You’re soooo cute. 👀”
- In addition, you could respond with a 🧐(monocle eye) emoji if you’re being coy and vague.

9

Send a 😈 (devil emoji) to hint at your naughty side.

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Use this emoji to take a flirty conversation to the next level. This is a sexier version of 😉(winky face) that you can use to show the other person that you mean business! Add the devil emoji in place of 😉 to make your message a little more sexually charged.^{[11]
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- For example, compare “Want to do something fun? 😉” to “Want to do something fun? 😈”
- Think of this as a PG-13-rated response to a flirty 👀.

10

Reply with a 🍑 (peach) or 🍆 (eggplant) emoji.

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Respond to 👀 with these fruity emojis to turn up the heat. Don’t be fooled by the fact that these emojis are usually in the food section of emoji keyboards! This peach and/or eggplant emoji duo has saucy implications. Use them for a not-so-subtle invitation to take the conversation further.^{[12]
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- Only use these in place of 😉 or 😈 if you know the other person will be into it, too!
- You could also send a 👅 (tongue emoji) or 💦 (water drop emoji) to get the same message across.
- Think of these as R-rated responses to a flirty 👀.

11

Send a 😒 (unamused face) to show that you’re annoyed or disagree.

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Use this emoji if the other person’s 👀was rude or inappropriate. Got an unwelcome flirtatious comment or a bad joke? A quick 😒(unamused face) response (sometimes called side eyes emoji) says “I’m not amused” and can shut the other person down.^{[13]
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- For example, use this if someone you’re not interested in says, “Hi sexy. 👀”
- Alternatively, use this if someone makes a joke that you really don’t think is cool to say.
- Another way to show you’re not into them is responding with a 🙄 (eye roll) emoji.