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
Gosling, 45, joked during a virtual press conference.
—
Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 17 Mar. 2026
The virtual shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz is unnerving the world economy, driving up energy and fertilizer prices, threatening food shortages in poor countries, destabilizing fragile states and complicating efforts by central banks to drive down prices for consumers.
—Arkansas Online, 17 Mar. 2026
In recent years, the BrainGate BCI was used to control a virtual keyboard with a cursor and to decode letters from handwriting areas of the brain.
—Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, 16 Mar. 2026
Reed subsequently granted Tompkins 20 days to formally respond to the claims and scheduled a virtual preliminary conference for May 5, 2026.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for virtual
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Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 17 Mar. 2026
The virtual shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz is unnerving the world economy, driving up energy and fertilizer prices, threatening food shortages in poor countries, destabilizing fragile states and complicating efforts by central banks to drive down prices for consumers.
—Arkansas Online, 17 Mar. 2026
In recent years, the BrainGate BCI was used to control a virtual keyboard with a cursor and to decode letters from handwriting areas of the brain.
—Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, 16 Mar. 2026
Reed subsequently granted Tompkins 20 days to formally respond to the claims and scheduled a virtual preliminary conference for May 5, 2026.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for virtual
Cite this Entry
“Virtual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/virtual. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
adverb
-ē
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