Reading Theme:
Avatar Meaning: Digital & Divine Forms (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：Digital representation (Avatar)
Avatar
/ˈæv.ə.tɑːr/
n.
A digital image or character that represents you in a video game, online forum, or social media.
Digital representation
➕
/ˈdɪdʒɪtl ˌrɛprɪzɛnˈteɪʃən/
n.
A digital image or character used to represent a person in online games, forums, or social media platforms.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
Sanskrit 'avatara' = 'ava-' (down) + 'tara-' (cross over), meaning 'descent'.
💡 Mnemonic
A-VA-TAR: think of 'a virtual avatar' – your digital self in a game or a divine form from ancient myths.
📖 Example
In the online game, I spent an hour customizing my avatar to have blue hair and cool armor.
In the online game, I spent an hour customizing my avatar to have blue hair and cool armor.
🔗 Collocations
create an avatar – to make a digital character
customize your avatar – to personalize your digital representation
avatar customization – the process of modifying an avatar's appearance
🔄 Synonyms
digital persona (n.) – a digital image representing a person online
virtual character (n.) – a character that exists in a virtual environment
online representation (n.) – a digital representation of oneself on the internet
🚫 Antonyms
real person (n.) – an actual human being
physical self (n.) – one's tangible body
offline identity (n.) – identity in the non-digital world
🌱 Derivatives
📖 Cultural Story
Originates from Sanskrit 'avatara' in Hinduism, referring to a god's descent to Earth. Modern usage popularized by Neal Stephenson's 1992 novel 'Snow Crash' and James Cameron's 2009 film 'Avatar'.
Meaning 2：Divine incarnation (Avatar)
Avatar
/ˈæv.ə.tɑːr/
n.
A physical form taken by a god, spirit, or person in another body. Also, a version of yourself in a different role.
Divine incarnation
➕
/dɪˈvaɪn ˌɪnkɑːrˈneɪʃən/
n.
A physical manifestation of a deity, spirit, or a version of oneself in a different form or role.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
In the famous movie, the scientists use genetically engineered bodies called avatars to explore the beautiful planet.
In the famous movie, the scientists use genetically engineered bodies called avatars to explore the beautiful planet.
🔗 Collocations
divine avatar – a god's incarnation on Earth
earthly avatar – a physical form taken by a spirit
avatar of Vishnu – a specific incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu
🔄 Synonyms
incarnation (n.) – a living embodiment of a deity or idea
embodiment (n.) – a tangible or visible form of an idea, quality, or feeling
manifestation (n.) – an event, action, or object that clearly shows something
🚫 Antonyms
Wordbook
Your data is saved in this browser