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

Modular Moments: Phone Booths Pressure to design more efficient workplaces has reduced private offices while more employees find themselves on the (virtual) phone throughout the day. —Phil Kirschner, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024

For example, virtual try-on with shoes would be able to scale to your shoe size or someone could see how a bracelet would fall on their wrist. —Rhonda Richford, WWD, 16 Dec. 2024

But by modeling a virtual T. rex population, using information from modern alligators to outline variation between individuals and growth, a new Ecology and Evolution study anticipates that some T. rex were likely up to 70 percent more massive than any found so far. —Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Dec. 2024

First lady Jill Biden host a virtual event for educators with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the National Education Association (NEA). —Cate Martel, The Hill, 16 Dec. 2024

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