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 of virtually

• practically
• almost
• nearly

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

Trump and Vice President JD Vance both virtually signed the agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, end the US blockade on Iranian ports and start 60 days of nuclear negotiations, a US official said. —Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 16 June 2026

Today, players are working out virtually year-round, often with specialized personal position coaches and trainers. —Mike Defabo, New York Times, 16 June 2026

Rather than the standard psychological insights of TV’s many homicide detectives, Graham possesses a virtually psychic ability to put himself into killers’ twisted psyches. —Matt Cabral, Entertainment Weekly, 15 June 2026

During the past twelve months, the Kospi stock index has virtually tripled, with many investors taking out margin loans to play the market or expand their positions. —John Cassidy, New Yorker, 15 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1b