Definition of "emote"

(transitive)

1. To display or express (emotions, mental states, etc.) openly, particularly while acting, and especially in an excessive manner.  quotations  examples

   Quotations

   • In the Latin category, dancers begin the round in carnival mode, bouncing and curving voltas traveling down the length of the floor, emoting happy celebration in a Brazilianesque samba.

     2017, Laurie Frederik, “Painting the Body Brown and Other Lessons on How to Dance Latin”, in Laurie Frederik, Kim Marra, Catherine Schuler, Showing Off, Showing Up: Studies of Hype, Heightened Performance, and Cultural Power, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan Press, page 55

2. To deliver (a speech), say (lines of a play, words), etc., in a dramatic or emotional manner, especially if overly so.  examples

(intransitive)

1. To display (excessive) emotion, especially while acting.  quotations  examples

   Quotations

   • Clint Eastwood, huh? You don't see him emoting all over the place, and what woman doesn't want to get down with "Dirty Harry," huh?

     1999 November 14, Remi Aubuchon, “Fear and Loathing in Gotham”, in Jack & Jill, season 1, episode 7

2. (Internet, text messaging) To express a virtual action, presented to other users as a graphic or reported speech, rather than sending a straightforward message.  examples

3. (video games) To perform a short action, such as a gesture or a dance move, which may be seen by other players but does not have any effect on gameplay.  quotations  examples

   Quotations

   • There aren't many chances to see your character in Borderlands 3, but one of them is when you're emoting. Emoting allows your character to perform a gesture like a wave or a thumbs up, and it shifts the camera to a third-person view while they do.

     2019 September 17, Austen Goslin, “Borderlands 3 guide: How to use emotes”, in Polygon‎, archived from the original on 2023-02-02

   • Lords of the Fallen is yet another entry in the action-RPG soulslike craze, complete with an unsettling fantasy setting, other players invading your game for some co-op or PvP goodness, and, of course, lots of dying. It makes use of the same sort of deadly third-person combat system full of dodge rolling, posture meters, and emoting over fallen enemies as a sign of utmost disrespect.

     2023 October 12, Travis Northup, “Lords of the Fallen Review”, in IGN‎, archived from the original on 2023-11-07

(Internet, text messaging) A virtual action expressed to other users as a graphic or reported speech rather than a straightforward message.  examples

(Internet, Twitch-speak) Short for emoticon.  examples

(video games) A short action, such as a gesture or a dance move, which may be seen by other players but does not have any effect on gameplay.  quotations  examples