AR

What Does AR Mean in a Text?

Definition of AR

AR means "Augmented Reality." It's a type of Enhanced Reality (XR) in which digital elements are added to a live view, allowing the user an interactive experience in a real-world environment.

In Morse code AR is used to mean "End of Message."

Augmented Reality

image for AR showing a girl wearing AR glasses

AR overlays digital elements onto the real world, creating an interactive experience. Instead of replacing reality, AR adds to it — projecting images and information onto whatever you're looking at while you move around freely. One of the best known examples of AR is Pokémon Go, where digital characters appear in real-life surroundings. Dedicated AR devices include Microsoft HoloLens, Epson Moverio, and Google Glass.

AR is different from VR (Virtual Reality), which fully immerses you in a completely digital environment. When AR and VR are combined, it's called MR (Mixed Reality) (MR).

End of Message

In formal Morse code the letters AR (dit dah dit dah dit / · — · — ·) are used to signal "End of Transmission" or the end of a message. It basically means "I'm done, over to you."

AR creates an interactive experience.

Summary of Key Points

AR (Definition 1)
Definition:	Augmented Reality
Type:	Abbreviation
Guessability:	3: Guessable
Typical Users:	Adults and Teenagers

AR (Definition 2)
Definition:	End of Message (Morse Code)
Type:	Abbreviation
Guessability:	4: Difficult to guess
Typical Users:	Specialists

An Academic Look at AR

AR is an initialism, because it's pronounced letter by letter — "A-R." It's not an acronym, as they form pronounceable words (abbreviations like FANG, GOAT, NASA). In short: if you can say it like a word, it's an acronym. If you have to spell it out, it's an initialism.