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

During the event, instructors demonstrated AI applications in military training, including a virtual battlefield and systems that identify weaknesses in trainees to generate personalised training plans, according to SCMP. —Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 3 Dec. 2025

In recent years, Idaho taxpayers have funded subscriptions to Disney+, day trips to trampoline parks and chicken coops — all part of a growing virtual education program that legislative researchers say has minimal oversight. —Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 3 Dec. 2025

This new research draws attention to an aspect of video communications that generally gets left out of talk about remote work and virtual meetings, says Stefano Puntoni at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. —Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 3 Dec. 2025

Asfura was initially in the lead on Monday by just a few hundred votes, a virtual tie. —Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 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

1

: being in effect but not in fact or name

a virtual dictator

2

: being on or simulated on a computer or computer network

a virtual classroom

virtually

-ē

adverb