Avatar
An avatar is the graphic representation a person chooses to identify themselves in a digital service, an online community or a video game
What it means, how it is used and where it comes up, with its related concepts.
What it is and how it works
It can be a photo, an illustration, a 2D or 3D character or a figure generated from the person’s features. On social networks and forums it is often called a profile picture; in games and immersive environments it is the customisable character the player controls.
The word comes from Sanskrit, where it refers to the incarnation of a deity. Brands and customer service teams also use avatars to give a face to virtual assistants; in that case it should be clear that users are not dealing with a real person.
Also known as
profile picture, profile image
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