Uwu envy is essentially the same concept as Freud's penis envy, but applied to modern society's fixation with cuteness. Individuals experiencing uwu envy may harbor a sense of inferiority, where they subconsciously (or consciously) covet others who effortlessly exude the cute and innocent aesthetic of 'uwu.' It may initially manifest as a state of being intimidated or even a feeling of resentment towards those who fit the uwu aesthetic, often due to feeling out of the loop or disconnected from popular internet culture and the trends associated with it.
Unlike penis envy though, uwu envy is very easy to overcome. Overcoming one's uwu envy may involve a strong desire to assimilate the physical attributes, mannerisms, or online presence associated with cuteness, and may drive individuals to engage in attention-seeking behavior or adopt an infantile or anime-influenced aesthetic as a means of validation. More often than not, this typically involves changing your profile pic to a cute anime girl and using cute phrases and emojis such as ':3' and 'rawr'. Those with uwu envy are indistinguishable from those who genuinely co-opt uwu culture, the only difference being that, deep down, individuals with uwu envy do it as a sort of psychological compensatory mechanism.
Uwu envy is the troubling reflection of a young generation that prioritizes surface-level appearances over genuine self-acceptance, self-expression and emotional maturity, perpetuating a shallow aesthetics-based culture.
Unlike penis envy though, uwu envy is very easy to overcome. Overcoming one's uwu envy may involve a strong desire to assimilate the physical attributes, mannerisms, or online presence associated with cuteness, and may drive individuals to engage in attention-seeking behavior or adopt an infantile or anime-influenced aesthetic as a means of validation. More often than not, this typically involves changing your profile pic to a cute anime girl and using cute phrases and emojis such as ':3' and 'rawr'. Those with uwu envy are indistinguishable from those who genuinely co-opt uwu culture, the only difference being that, deep down, individuals with uwu envy do it as a sort of psychological compensatory mechanism.
Uwu envy is the troubling reflection of a young generation that prioritizes surface-level appearances over genuine self-acceptance, self-expression and emotional maturity, perpetuating a shallow aesthetics-based culture.
EXAMPLE 1:
Person A: I noticed that Sarah changed her profile picture to a cute anime girl and is always using 'uwu' in her messages. It's like she's trying so hard to be cute all the time.
Person B: Yeah, she's got a serious case of uwu envy.
_______________
EXAMPLE 2: Me. I have uwu envy.
Person A: I noticed that Sarah changed her profile picture to a cute anime girl and is always using 'uwu' in her messages. It's like she's trying so hard to be cute all the time.
Person B: Yeah, she's got a serious case of uwu envy.
_______________
EXAMPLE 2: Me. I have uwu envy.
by Mary Mary Quite The Contrarian April 24, 2023
Get the Uwu envymug. Feeling envious of participants of surounding conversations, especially while sitting in an awkward silence.
Origin, Bay Area, mid 2000s.
Origin, Bay Area, mid 2000s.
Man, my friend is too busy talking about AFI with the scene kids, and im too far down the table to talk to the WoPo players. Ive got hella convo-envy!
by 280 fog July 20, 2025
Get the convo-envymug. When black people feel envious of white society because their ancestors lacked the skill & knowledge to improve their lives. Often resulting in resentment, jealousy and demands for reparations instead of accepting personal responsibility for their own situation, and work towards improving their lives through hard work, discipline and other ethical ways of achieving happiness and success.
by Rabid_Dogs May 15, 2024
Get the White-Envymug. gender envy refers to someone typically a transgender person, who sees someone who looks the way they want to look when they transition. it can also mean something that is so “gender” meaning it’s a perfect way to represent your gender. this is a phrase typically used online and not seen really seen outside of the internet.
by messyroomhaver September 25, 2023
Get the gender envymug. When you get a text from someone and It has a X instead of an emoji because you have an older phone.
A: Hey, I just saw a X!!!!
J: Frustrated. What is an X?
A: A Moose!!!
J: That's cool. I couldn't see it on my phone. I have Emoji Envy.
J: Frustrated. What is an X?
A: A Moose!!!
J: That's cool. I couldn't see it on my phone. I have Emoji Envy.
by hitman5313 February 8, 2024
Get the Emoji Envymug. by Jews1440 April 22, 2020
Get the Taint Envymug. by Pringl3z October 24, 2011
Get the South Envymug.