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

Rollins survived virtually all of his contemporaries from the 1950s and ’60s, the period in which the fundamental elements of the contemporary jazz that followed for the next half-century were established. —Don Heckman, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2026

From sculptural stitch braids and Fulani styles to boho box braids and polished updos, feed-in braids can be customized for virtually any aesthetic. —Larry Stansbury, InStyle, 25 May 2026

The car has been quick virtually everywhere. —Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026

Those ticket sales represent a remarkable 30% increase over its opening weekend, a virtually unprecedented uptick for a film that’s already in wide release. —Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 24 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1b