Word of the: Avatar

Avatar

[AV-ə-tahr]

Part of speech: noun

Origin: Sanskrit, late 18th century

1.An icon or figure representing a particular person in video games, internet forums, etc.

2.A manifestation of a deity or released soul in bodily form on earth; an incarnate divine teacher (mainly in Hinduism).

Examples of avatar in a sentence

"Derek’s avatar on the text thread is a cartoon."

"Meghan chose the fox as her avatar in the video game."

About Avatar

This word originates from the Sanskrit “avantarana,” meaning “descent of a deity to the earth in incarnate form.”

Did you Know?

The rise of technology seems to coincide with a rise in popularity of the word “avatar.” In computer terminology, usage of the word seems to trace back to the 1992 sci-fi novel “Snowcrash” by Neal Stephenson, which features an alternate universe populated by avatars.