avatar

A digital "actor" or icon that represents who you are and where you are in the virtual world. 3-D chat rooms and VRML worlds are examples of places where you would use an avatar to navigate your surroundings and communicate with other users. The avatar can be whatever you want, including a cartoon, an animal, or any graphical element. Just be aware that this image represents you!

An avatar in the metaverse is based on the same principle as other virtual avatars. An avatar in the metaverse is a user's identity on that entire universe. Much like avatars on other platforms, you will be able to create and use an avatar in the metaverse.

Historical perspective: The word comes from the Hindu philosophy where an avatar refers to the incarnation (bodily manifestation) of a higher being (deva).