noun
Uncommon
avatar
uh-tahr
Avatar (noun) means a small picture or digital figure that represents a person online, such as on a forum or social media profile. Example: “She changed her avatar to a photo of her dog.”
noun
1
A small picture or digital figure that represents a person online, such as on a forum or social media profile.
"She changed her avatar to a photo of her dog."
"His forum avatar is a cartoon fox wearing glasses."
"You can upload a new avatar in your profile settings."
2
A digital character that represents a person in a video game or virtual world.
"Players customize their avatar's appearance before starting the game."
"My avatar in the game wears a red cape and carries a sword."
"She spent an hour choosing a hairstyle for her avatar."
3
In Hindu belief, the earthly incarnation of a god, especially Vishnu.
"Krishna is worshipped as an avatar of Vishnu."
How to use avatar
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA picture or character that stands in for a real person online — or, originally, a god's appearance on earth.
Common pairings
profile avatar
choose an avatar
avatar of Vishnu
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Word forms
- Plural
- avatars
Fill the gap
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She changed her _____ to a photo of her dog.
Etymology
From Sanskrit avatara, "descent of a deity," borrowed into English in the 18th century; the online-profile meaning grew out of its use in 1980s video games.
Class of 1980
avatar joined the language around 1980.
See the full Class of 1980 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for avatar
See all rhymes for avatar →Frequently asked questions
What does “avatar” mean?
The word “avatar” means a small picture or digital figure that represents a person online, such as on a forum or social media profile. In plain terms, a picture or character that stands in for a real person online — or, originally, a god's appearance on earth.
How do you pronounce “avatar”?
“Avatar” is pronounced uh-tahr (/ˈæv.ə.tɑɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “avatar” in a sentence?
Here is “avatar” used in a sentence: “She changed her avatar to a photo of her dog.”
What part of speech is “avatar”?
“Avatar” is a noun.
Where does the word “avatar” come from?
The word “avatar” dates back to around 1980 and comes from Sanskrit. From Sanskrit avatara, "descent of a deity," borrowed into English in the 18th century; the online-profile meaning grew out of its use in 1980s video games.
Is “avatar” a common word?
“Avatar” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “avatar” have?
“Avatar” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small picture or digital figure that represents a person online, such as on a forum or social media profile.
What is the difference between an avatar and a profile picture?
A profile picture is typically a photo or image chosen to represent a person online, while an avatar can be that same small picture but often specifically refers to a digital figure or character, sometimes customizable, used to represent someone on a forum, social media, or in a game.
What does avatar mean in a video game?
In a video game, an avatar is the digital character that represents the player within the game or virtual world, allowing them to move, interact, and be seen by other players.
What is the original meaning of avatar in Hindu belief?
In Hindu belief, an avatar is the earthly incarnation of a god, especially Vishnu, taking physical form to appear in the world. The modern digital meaning of avatar borrows from this idea of a form representing something else.
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