virtual

adjective

vir·​tu·​al ˈvər-chə-wəl 

-chəl;

ˈvərch-wəl

1

: being such in essence or effect though not formally recognized or admitted

a virtual dictator

2

: being on or simulated on a computer or computer network

print or virtual books

a virtual keyboard

: such as

a

: occurring or existing primarily online

virtual shopping

b

: of, relating to, or existing within a virtual reality

a virtual tour

3

: of, relating to, or using virtual memory

4

: of, relating to, or being a hypothetical particle whose existence is inferred from indirect evidence

virtual photons

compare real sense 3

Examples of virtual in a Sentence

The website provides a virtual tour of the stadium.

Recent Examples on the Web

However, due to the virtual format, Begich's team was able to maintain control over the town hall, though the livestream received more than 2,000 comments. —John Parkinson, ABC News, 21 Feb. 2025

Nebraska fans may take over the Rose Bowl and turn this into a virtual home game. Nov. 14: Iowa at USC There are several contenders for this spot, including Penn State at Michigan State, Wisconsin at Indiana and Minnesota at Oregon. —Scott Dochterman, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025

The winners were announced during a virtual, non-televised ceremony that aired on the NAACP Image Awards YouTube channel. —Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 20 Feb. 2025

Gusts of arctic air created snow drifts and brought dangerous wind chill values into the metro, prompting local school districts to close or have virtual learning on Wednesday. —Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 19 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, efficacious, potential, from Medieval Latin virtualis, from Latin virtus strength, virtue

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing virtual

• virtual colonoscopy
• virtual image
• virtual memory
• virtual private network
• virtual reality

Kids Definition

virtual

adjective

vir·​tu·​al ˈvərch-(ə-)wəl 

ˈvər-chəl

: being in effect but not in fact or name

a virtual dictator

: being on or simulated on a computer or computer network

a virtual classroom

virtually

-ē

adverb