avatar
AV-uh-tar
/ˈævətɑːr/
An icon, graphic image, or digital representation of a user in virtual spaces or social media accounts.
An avatar can be a real photo, a stylized illustration, or a 3D animated character representing a person online.
The story behind the word. In Hindu theology, an 'avatāra' is the bodily incarnation of a deity descending to earth. Early virtual reality researchers and sci-fi writers in the 1980s adopted the term to describe a human user's digital manifestation inside computer environments.
Word relationships
- profile picture: Profile picture implies a photograph, while avatar encompasses graphics, icons, and 3D figures.
- real self: The physical human individual.
Commonly confused with
- icon: An icon represents a app or action, while an avatar specifically represents an account user.
Word family
- avatarship (noun): The state or identity of an avatar.
Collocations
- custom avatar
- default avatar
- profile avatar
Example sentences
- "He selected a customized digital avatar featuring neon goggles for his profile picture." Online gaming and profile setup
Memory hook
AVATAR: A Virtual Representation. Your digital alter-ego.
When not to use
Avoid using 'avatar' to refer to a person's physical body or real-world presence.
Fun facts
- Neal Stephenson helped popularize the term for virtual personas in his classic 1992 cyberpunk novel 'Snow Crash'.
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