Library · Primer

XR glossary

Community definitions for VR, AR, MR, XR, presence, embodiment, immersion, and related terms.

Updated 2026-08-18

XR glossary (community)

Terms used across the WE ARE VR site and library. Expanded from the immersion primer and community copy.

VR — Virtual reality: fully immersive digital environments, typically via headset.
AR — Augmented reality: digital overlays on the physical world (phones, smartglasses).
MR — Mixed reality: blending real and virtual so they interact.
XR — Extended reality: umbrella for VR/AR/MR and related experiential tech.
eXtended Reality — Same as XR; common industry spelling emphasizing “extended.”
Spatial computing — Computing that understands and uses 3D space as the interface.
Experiential media / experiential technologies — Tools and designed experiences that produce immersion (VR, AR, smartglasses, spatial audio, projection mapping, FPV drones, MR, and related).
Immersive media — Media experienced as sensation and place, not only as content on a flat screen.
Presence — The felt sense of “being there” in an immersive experience.
Embodiment — The felt sense of being the agent acting in the experience.
Simulation — Objective recreation of a place/object/scenario for practice or science without full real-world cost.
Immersion — Sensation of being somewhere; engagement rises with sensory fidelity.
Metaverse — Shared social/cultural virtual spaces people visit for art, music, theatre, community, gaming, learning, and more.
Brain-computer interface (BCI) — Interfaces that connect neural signals to computing; researched for deeper immersion.
Spatial audio — Sound that conveys direction and distance in 3D space.
Smartglasses — Wearables that deliver AR/MR in everyday form factors.
Spatial anchor — A fixed reference point that ties digital content to a real-world location in AR/MR.
Haptics — Touch feedback devices and techniques that reinforce presence and embodiment.
Location-based experience (LBE) — Immersive experiences designed for a physical venue rather than only at-home headsets.
360 video — Spherical video for headset or interactive viewing; related to but distinct from interactive VR.

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XR glossary (community)

Terms used across the WE ARE VR site and library. Expanded from the immersion primer and community copy.

VR — Virtual reality: fully immersive digital environments, typically via headset.

AR — Augmented reality: digital overlays on the physical world (phones, smartglasses).

MR — Mixed reality: blending real and virtual so they interact.

XR — Extended reality: umbrella for VR/AR/MR and related experiential tech.

eXtended Reality — Same as XR; common industry spelling emphasizing “extended.”

Spatial computing — Computing that understands and uses 3D space as the interface.

Experiential media / experiential technologies — Tools and designed experiences that produce immersion (VR, AR, smartglasses, spatial audio, projection mapping, FPV drones, MR, and related).

Immersive media — Media experienced as sensation and place, not only as content on a flat screen.

Presence — The felt sense of “being there” in an immersive experience.

Embodiment — The felt sense of being the agent acting in the experience.

Simulation — Objective recreation of a place/object/scenario for practice or science without full real-world cost.

Immersion — Sensation of being somewhere; engagement rises with sensory fidelity.

Metaverse — Shared social/cultural virtual spaces people visit for art, music, theatre, community, gaming, learning, and more.

Brain-computer interface (BCI) — Interfaces that connect neural signals to computing; researched for deeper immersion.

Spatial audio — Sound that conveys direction and distance in 3D space.

Smartglasses — Wearables that deliver AR/MR in everyday form factors.

Spatial anchor — A fixed reference point that ties digital content to a real-world location in AR/MR.

Haptics — Touch feedback devices and techniques that reinforce presence and embodiment.

Location-based experience (LBE) — Immersive experiences designed for a physical venue rather than only at-home headsets.

360 video — Spherical video for headset or interactive viewing; related to but distinct from interactive VR.