v2.0
⏸️⏸️ Pause Button Emoji EmojiUnicode: 23F8 FE0F
Represents a pause or break
Released in First introduced in Unicode 7.0 in 2014 and added to Emoji 1.0 in 2015.
pausebreakholdstopmedia controltimeoutwaittemporaryinterruptionhalt
Meaning and Interpretation
"The ⏸️ emoji depicts the 'pause' button seen on many media players such as music or video players. It signifies holding the current state temporarily, stopping an activity or taking a short break. Beyond media control, it can be used in conversations to suggest a mental or emotional 'timeout', a pause in actions, or even in moments of reflection."
Symbolism
- Media control: Pausing music or video.
- Taking a breather: A short break from a task or conversation.
- Reflection or stopping to think: Pausing to deeply consider a matter before moving forward.
Common Usage Scenarios
- When you want to indicate that you're taking a quick break while working or studying.
- In a situation where a conversation gets intense and needs a moment to cool down.
- To imply that you are pausing an activity, like stopping a show or music momentarily.
Usage Examples in Conversation
I'm in the middle of something, but I'll check it out in a second ⏸️
Let's take a pause and discuss this when we're calmer. ⏸️
Gotta pause the show to grab a snack ⏸️
Hang on, need to pause the music and grab my headphones. ⏸️
We should pause this conversation and revisit later. ⏸️
Usage Guidelines and Etiquette
- Use it to indicate temporary pauses or interruptions, not permanent stops.
- Avoid overusing it to prevent confusion, especially in professional conversations where clarity is crucial.
- While common in digital media contexts, it can be creatively used in emotional or conversational pauses too.