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avatar

noun av·a·tar \ ˈa-və-ˌtär \
|Updated on: 18 Jul 2018

Definition of avatar

1 : the incarnation of a Hindu deity (such as Vishnu)
2 a : 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 is manipulated by a computer user in a virtual space (as in a computer game or an online shopping site) and that interacts with other objects in the space

See avatar defined for English-language learners

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Examples of avatar in a Sentence

  1. She has come to be regarded as an avatar of charity and concern for the poor.

  2. She chose a penguin as her personal avatar in the chat room.

Recent Examples of avatar from the Web

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.

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.

Origin and Etymology of avatar

Sanskrit avatāraḥ descent, from avatarati he descends, from ava- away + tarati he crosses over — more at ukase, 1through

avatar Synonyms

Synonyms

abstract, embodier, embodiment, epitome, externalization, genius, icon (also ikon), image, incarnation, incorporation, manifestation, objectification, personification, personifier;

Related Words

actualization, concretization, exemplification, personalization, realization, substantiation;

essence, quintessence, soul;

archetype, exemplar, model, paradigm, pattern;

reincarnation;

Other Religion (Eastern and Other) Terms

Zen, antinomian, gnosticism, illuminati, ineffable, karma, koan, mantra

AVATAR Defined for English Language Learners

avatar

noun

Definition of avatar for English Language Learners

  • Hinduism : the human or animal form of a Hindu god on earth

  • : someone who represents a type of person, an idea, or a quality

  • computers : a small picture that represents a computer user in a game, on the Internet, etc.

Learn More about avatar

  1. See words that rhyme with avatar Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for avatar Spanish Central: Translation of avatar Nglish: Translation of avatar for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of avatar for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about avatar

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