avatar

noun

av·a·tar | \ ˈa-və-ˌtär

Definition of avatar

1 : the incarnation of a Hindu deity (such as Vishnu)

2a : an incarnation in human form

b : an embodiment (as of a concept or philosophy) often in a person She was regarded as an avatar of charity and concern for the poor.

3 : a variant phase or version of a continuing basic entity the latest avatar of the conservative movement

4 : an electronic image that represents and may be manipulated by a computer user (as in a game)

Synonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about avatar

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Did You Know?

Avatar derives from a Sanskrit word meaning "descent," and when it first appeared in English in the late 18th century, it referred to the descent of a deity to the earth - typically, the incarnation in earthly form of Vishnu or another Hindu deity. It later came to refer to any incarnation in human form, and then to any embodiment (such as that of a concept or philosophy), whether or not in the form a person. In the age of technology, "avatar" has developed another sense - it can now be used for the image that a person chooses as his or her "embodiment" in an electronic medium.

Examples of avatar in a Sentence

She has come to be regarded as an avatar of charity and concern for the poor. She chose a penguin as her personal avatar in the chat room.

Recent Examples on the Web

When users press a button on the goggles, a three-dimensional, life-size patient avatar appears in a real-life classroom. — Leigh Kamping-carder, WSJ, "How Holograms Are Helping Medical Training," 5 July 2018 His latest Fall 2018 lookbook features models—some with heavy makeup, and others who resemble avatars—hanging among piles of shattered glass and car remnants. — Liana Satenstein, Vogue, "Asai Is the Red-Hot London Label Delivering Clothes in Chinese Takeout Boxes," 12 June 2018 And the only thing standing in its way, the only thing between you and the march of time, is Gorrebeeck’s avatar. — Lily Janiak, San Francisco Chronicle, "New frontiers of grief, love in Marin Theatre Company’s ‘Marjorie Prime’," 9 May 2018 New Zealand artificial intelligence expert FaceMe was hired to create the interactive avatar of Kalt that will meet with clients via television screen. — Mckenna Moore, Fortune, "UBS Digitally Cloned Its Chief Economist So He Wouldn't Miss His Meetings," 5 July 2018 Far from seeming extraordinary, men and women in capes, masks and electronic suits have now become avatars of the unimaginative and the commonplace — a development that Bird and his collaborators could hardly have anticipated. — Justin Chang, latimes.com, "How the dazzling, overstuffed ‘Incredibles 2’ holds up a cracked mirror to present-day reality," 4 July 2018 Portrayed by Wasikowska with equal parts annoyance, determination and admirable self-sufficiency, Penelope becomes an avatar for generations of women who have lived in constant danger of being saved, or at least changed for their own good. — Author: Ann Hornaday, Anchorage Daily News, "Is ‘Damsel’ the first Western for the #MeToo generation?," 28 June 2018 Maisie becomes the avatar of our own terrified selves. — Josephine Livingstone, The New Republic, "We’re Going to Need a Bigger Island," 22 June 2018 Otherwise, the news this week tapped a rich vein of anxiety over digital avatars, online privacy, and having your baby on the internet. — Adi Robertson, The Verge, "Cybermom on the run: this week in tech, 20 years ago," 16 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'avatar.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.