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

In the public markets, as an example of that approach, Mounsey-Heysham points to a company such as virtual meetings giant Zoom. —David Prosser, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025

A little accountability and a few virtual high-fives can go a long way. —PC Magazine, 17 Sep. 2025

Six current and former Meta employees have accused the company of doctoring and restricting internal research into safety concerns, particularly regarding young users on its virtual and augmented reality platforms. —Julia Shapero, The Hill, 17 Sep. 2025

Thus unleashed, my childhood self would go mad with unchecked power, petulantly turning dials just to see what happened to the citizens in my virtual ant farm. —Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 17 Sep. 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