The tilde (~) is a symbol used in various contexts. It is often depicted as a wavy line placed over a letter or word to indicate approximation or negation. In mathematics, the tilde can represent equivalence or similarity between two objects. In computer programming, it is commonly used as a prefix to denote home directories or user accounts. The tilde has also been adopted in certain programming languages and frameworks to represent shortcuts or special characters. Overall, the tilde serves as a versatile symbol with diverse applications across different fields.