AVATAR

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does avatar mean? 

• AVATAR (noun)
  The noun AVATAR has 2 senses:

1. a new personification of a familiar idea

2. the manifestation of a Hindu deity (especially Vishnu) in human or superhuman or animal form

  Familiarity information: AVATAR used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• AVATAR (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A new personification of a familiar idea

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Synonyms:

avatar; embodiment; incarnation

Context example:

the very avatar of cunning

Hypernyms ("avatar" is a kind of...):

personification (a person who represents an abstract quality)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "avatar"):

deification (an embodiment of the qualities of a god)

reincarnation (embodiment in a new form (especially the reappearance or a person in another form))

Sense 2

Meaning:

The manifestation of a Hindu deity (especially Vishnu) in human or superhuman or animal form

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Context example:

some Hindus consider Krishna to be an avatar of the god Vishnu

Hypernyms ("avatar" is a kind of...):

Hindu deity (a deity worshipped by the Hindus)

Instance hyponyms:

Jagannath; Jagannatha; Jagganath; Juggernaut (an avatar of Vishnu)

Kalki (the 10th and last incarnation of Vishnu)

Krishna (8th and most important avatar of Vishnu; incarnated as a handsome young man playing a flute)

Rama (avatar of Vishnu whose name is synonymous with God; any of three incarnations: Ramachandra or Parashurama or Balarama)