shark Emoji
๐ฆ ยท U+1F988 ยท Emoji 3.0
What does the shark emoji mean?
Meaning reviewed and updated July 2026 ยท Unicode data from the official Unicode Standard
When danger or a formidable opponent is lurking, people reach for the ๐ฆ emoji to represent a shark, which is defined as a large predatory fish with a streamlined body and sharp teeth. This emoji can be used literally to refer to the animal itself, such as in discussions about marine life or shark conservation. Figuratively, the ๐ฆ emoji is used to convey a sense of threat or competition, as in a "shark-infested" market or a ruthless business environment. In slang, it can also be used to describe someone who is perceived as a predator or a bully, such as a loan shark or an online troll.
How the shark emoji is used
In digital communication, the ๐ฆ emoji is often used in a humorous or ironic way to add tone to a message, such as in a joking threat or a lighthearted warning. The emoji is popular on social media platforms like Twitter and TikTok, where it can be used to add a touch of personality to a post or comment. Tone and usage can vary across different age groups and online communities, with some using the ๐ฆ emoji in a more playful way and others employing it to convey a sense of menace or aggression. On platforms like Instagram, the emoji may be used in captions to add a sense of drama or excitement to a post.
shark emoji examples
- just saw a shark at the beach ๐ฆ
- don't even think about trying to take my lunch ๐ฆ
How to copy the shark emoji
To use the shark emoji, tap the Copy button above, then paste it (long-press then Paste on mobile, or Ctrl+V / Cmd+V on desktop) anywhere you can type: messages, captions, usernames, bios and documents. It copies the real Unicode character (U+1F988), so it works on every app and platform, no download needed.
More about shark
Also known as
shark emoji on different platforms
How the shark emoji looks across emoji sets. These designs come from openly-licensed sets (Twemoji, Google Noto, OpenMoji). See image credits.



shark Emoji Details
| Emoji | ๐ฆ |
| Name | shark |
| Category | Animals & Nature |
| Codepoints | U+1F988 |
| Shortcode | :shark: |
| Emoji version | 3.0 |
| Unicode version | 3.0 |
shark Emoji FAQ
When danger or a formidable opponent is lurking, people reach for the ๐ฆ emoji to represent a shark, which is defined as a large predatory fish with a streamlined body and sharp teeth. This emoji can be used literally to refer to the animal itself, such as in discussions about marine life or shark conservation.
Tap the Copy button at the top of this page, then paste ๐ฆ wherever you type. Because it copies the real Unicode character, it works in every app on iPhone, Android, Windows and Mac.
It is U+1F988, introduced in Emoji version 3.0 (Unicode 3.0). Its shortcode is :shark:.
People also search for the shark emoji as animal, fish.