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
Perhaps the most obvious way Apple could embrace generative AI – the buzzy form of artificial intelligence that can provide thoughtful and thorough responses to questions – is through Siri, the company’s virtual assistant with a hit-or-miss track record.
—
Samantha Murphy Kelly, CNN, 10 June 2024
Video courtesy Honorable Judge Cedric Simpson/Screenshot by NPR A Michigan man who went viral for unlawfully driving during a virtual court meeting in May never actually had a driver’s license, adding a new twist to the bizarre story.
—Alana Wise, NPR, 8 June 2024
This includes offering early access to Recall for Windows PCs running Arm processors, either physically or through a virtual machine.
—Michael Kan, PCMAG, 4 June 2024
The funds are received the same day but are not paid in dollars to the client but in a local virtual currency known as MLC.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 31 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for virtual 
Samantha Murphy Kelly, CNN, 10 June 2024
Video courtesy Honorable Judge Cedric Simpson/Screenshot by NPR A Michigan man who went viral for unlawfully driving during a virtual court meeting in May never actually had a driver’s license, adding a new twist to the bizarre story.
—Alana Wise, NPR, 8 June 2024
This includes offering early access to Recall for Windows PCs running Arm processors, either physically or through a virtual machine.
—Michael Kan, PCMAG, 4 June 2024
The funds are received the same day but are not paid in dollars to the client but in a local virtual currency known as MLC.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 31 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for virtual
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'virtual.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Virtual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/virtual. Accessed 15 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
adverb
-ē
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