What does the clock icon in WhatsApp on an avatar mean?

What does the clock icon in WhatsApp on an avatar mean - briefly?

The clock icon next to an avatar in WhatsApp indicates that a message has been scheduled for delivery at a later time using the app's "Scheduled Message" feature. This allows users to plan and send messages in advance.

What does the clock icon in WhatsApp on an avatar mean - in detail?

The clock icon that appears on an avatar in WhatsApp signifies that a message from this contact has been marked as read, but the user has not yet seen it. This feature is part of WhatsApp's "Read Receipt" functionality, which lets you know when your messages have been delivered and read by the recipient. When you see the clock icon on an avatar, it indicates that the message status is "read," but the recipient has chosen not to respond immediately or may be taking some time to compose a reply. This icon provides users with insight into the message delivery status, helping manage expectations about response times and communication flow within conversations.