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

The department’s actions and policies reflect a disdain for public schools and a desire to dismantle that system in favor of a range of other options — private, Christian and virtual schools or homeschooling. —Megan O’Matz, ProPublica, 8 Oct. 2025

Officials confirm that Taiwanese engineers and military planners are now in virtual working groups with Polish, Lithuanian, and Ukrainian counterparts, exchanging operational lessons in EW, C-UAS, and artillery fire direction. —Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 8 Oct. 2025

Anyone with a phone and the internet can get a front row view of fashion week, connect with their favorite designers and immerse themselves in the virtual worlds of luxury brands. —Fiona Sinclair Scott, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025

The only in-the-works feature that hasn’t yet been implemented is a virtual bin for files deleted within your cloud locker, something that would allow recovery the way the Windows Recycle Bin does. —PC Magazine, 7 Oct. 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

: 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

-ē

adverb