avatar

/əʋ(ə)t̪ɑr/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: avatars

Sense 1

Meaning · English

An incarnation of a deity, particularly Vishnu.

Noun

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

The embodiment of an idea or concept; an instantiation, especially a personification or incarnation.

Noun

Examples

...that a new avatar of Mrs. Siddons has appeared at Covent Garden, in the shape of her niece Fanny Kemble...

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “avatar” mean?

An incarnation of a deity, particularly Vishnu.

Is “avatar” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.