Oxford Dictionaries 'Word of the Year' is...not a word but an emoji symbol?

Oxford dictionary has declared the "Word of the Year" is the emoji -- not the word itself but the symbol.

Through its research, Oxford found the "Face With Tears of Joy" or the LOL Emoji was the most frequently used in the US-- and therefore, the one it would use. It comprised nearly 20% of all emoji use.

The company explained its decision saying quote "Emoji are becoming an increasingly rich form of communication, one that transcends linguistic borders."

The actual word emoji, however, has been in the Oxford dictionary for 2 years. The company says it has no plans to put the Emoji symbol in its actual database.

Emoji beat out the words ad blocker, Brexit, Dark Web, lumbersexual, on fleek, and refugee.