virtually

adverb

vir·​tu·​al·​ly ˈvər-chə-wə-lē 

-chə-lē;

ˈvərch-wə-lē

1

a

: almost entirely : nearly

The project is virtually complete.

Virtually every applicant was overqualified for the job.

b

: for all practical purposes

She was virtually unknown prior to starring in the film.

It is virtually impossible to know the truth of the matter.

2

: by means of a computer or computer network : in a virtual location

The meeting is being held virtually.

They did all their shopping virtually.

Synonyms

• about
• all but
• almost
• borderline
• fair [chiefly British]
• fairly
• feckly [chiefly Scottish]
• more or less
• most
• much
• near
• nearly
• next to
• nigh
• practically
• somewhere
• well-nigh

Examples of virtually in a Sentence

We spent virtually all day shopping.

The stadium was virtually empty by the time the game ended.

I remember virtually everything he said.

That illness is virtually unknown in this area.

Recent Examples on the Web

The apparent agreement came together sooner that most observers expected after Trump's 145% tariffs on Chinese imports virtually halted $600 billion in annual trade between the world's two largest economies. —Joey Garrison, USA Today, 12 May 2025

Especially on the main roster, Gunther has virtually always been a champion, with two lengthy title reigns, one as Intercontinental Champion and another as World Heavyweight Champion. —Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025

This milestone significantly accelerates TAE’s path to commercial hydrogen-boron fusion that will deliver a safe, clean and virtually limitless energy source for generations to come. —David Szondy may 10, New Atlas, 10 May 2025

Bingham himself will also be part of the conversation virtually. —Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 10 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1b