A speaker symbol with low volume, indicating quiet or muted sound.
The low volume speaker emoji represents a speaker that is emitting sound at a low level. It is often used to convey quietness, to indicate that something is not loud, or to suggest lowering the volume in a conversation or a multimedia context. In social and digital communication, this emoji is frequently used to imply discretion or to ask for a more subtle or low-key approach to a topic.
Basic Information
Usage Scenario
To indicate that a conversation should be kept quiet.
When asking someone to lower the volume of music or a video.
To describe a situation that is calm or peaceful.
In discussions about sound settings on devices.
To imply subtlety in a discussion or message.
Sentiment Analysis
Platform Variations
apple
On iOS, it appears as a white speaker icon with sound waves emanating from it, all in a light grey color.
android
The Android version features a similar speaker icon, but the sound waves are depicted in a more stylized manner.
samsung
Samsung's design incorporates a rounded speaker shape with a softer aesthetic, emphasizing the low volume.
microsoft
In Windows, the emoji shows a speaker with sound lines that are slightly more pronounced, giving it a bolder appearance.
Fun Facts
This emoji can be used humorously to suggest a boring conversation.
It is often employed in the context of meetings or lectures to remind participants to keep their voices down.
In some cultures, the gesture of placing a finger to the lips symbolizes quietness, similar to the implication of this emoji.
History
The low volume speaker emoji was introduced in Unicode 6.0 in 2010, as part of a set of emojis representing various audio symbols. Its design has evolved with different platforms but has consistently maintained its core meaning related to sound.
Cultural Meaning
Globally, this emoji can represent a variety of contexts where sound is minimized or a situation is kept discreet. In many cultures, loudness can be associated with disturbance or disrespect, so this emoji serves as a reminder to maintain a low profile or to be considerate of others' need for quietness.
Usage Stories
The low volume speaker emoji serves as a reminder of the importance of sound levels in social settings, especially in environments like libraries, theaters, or shared living spaces where silence is valued.