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 most comprehensive virtual women’s health platform at the enterprise level, covering everything from fertility to menopause. —Sindhya Valloppillil, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025

Joining me in a virtual panel discussion will be: Christian Davenport, of The Washington Post Loren Grush, of Bloomberg Joey Roulette, of Reuters The community of professional space reporters is fairly small, and Chris, Loren, and Joey are some of my smartest and fiercest competitors. —ArsTechnica, 28 May 2025

By focusing on purposeful communication, nurturing relationships, and offering opportunities for engagement, your virtual customer service center can turn low retention into long-term loyalty. —Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 28 May 2025

The arrival of these virtual agents, their venture capitalist backers predict, will turbocharge our productivity and unleash an age of material abundance. —Billy Perrigo, Time, 27 May 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