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

Wayne Township also offers a three-year apprenticeship program, and administrators are pursuing virtual work opportunities for students for whom transportation could be a barrier. —Carley Lanich, IndyStar, 10 Feb. 2026

In some virtual meetings, employees drop off the call while an AI assistant stays behind, quietly documenting gossip or disparaging remarks made by remaining employees, then emailing the transcript to the full team. —Kristin Stoller, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026

There has been great curiosity about Brady, a virtual unknown as a writer, and some 27 meetings have been set up for him with producers, studios and networks. —Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 9 Feb. 2026

Tai Michaels, an activist with the Sunrise Project New York, spoke out against the project at a virtual public forum earlier this month. —John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 9 Feb. 2026

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