Owo

Owo is an emoticon used in online communication to convey cuteness, surprise, or affection. It is typically written as owo or OwO and resembles a small face with round eyes and a mouth shaped like a 'w'.

Origins and usage: The exact origin is uncertain, but the form became common in online communities in the 2010s, particularly among fans of anime, furry art, and online gaming. It is part of the broader family of kaomoji and text-based emoticons that rely on punctuation and letters to express emotions.

Meaning and tone: The meaning of owo depends on context; it can signal innocent enthusiasm, shyness, or playful mischief. It is widely used in memes and casual chat to indicate excitement about something cute or pleasant, and it is sometimes used self-consciously or ironically.

Variants and related terms: Variants include UwU, OwO, and other letter-case forms that convey similar feelings. Related online expressions include cat-like sounds such as nya and other emoticon styles used to evoke cuteness or affection.

Cultural note: In online communities, owo is associated with fandoms that emphasize cute aesthetics, but it has also been criticized as overly childish or performative in some contexts. Its usage is primarily within informal, friendly conversation rather than formal writing.

See also: emoticon, kaomoji, UwU.