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

At the very least, demand a virtual meeting with the seller and the pet. —Abreanna Blose, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025

Now that the beta models are out, the company is working to prove out the virtual development work that has been done over the last several years. —Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025

The residential firm works on interior furnishing projects, renovations, and custom builds locally and nationwide and offers virtual consulting services. —Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 3 Sep. 2025

That book came just as pandemic quarantine caused many people to double down on virtual interaction. —Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 3 Sep. 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