# Avatar: what it is and how it works · Zorraquino
> An avatar is the graphic representation a person chooses to identify themselves in a digital service, an online community or a video game.
URL: https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary/internet/avatar.html

# 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.

[The whole glossary](https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary)

## 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

Topics

[Technology and data](https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary/category/tecnologia-y-datos)

## Related concepts

- [Virtual assistant](https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary/internet/virtual-assistant.html)
- [Social networks](https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary/internet/social-networks.html)
- [Emoticon](https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary/ux/emoticon.html)