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

With a 3-1 series lead, the Spurs are in virtual lock territory in the odds. —Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026

Geofencing allows the government to draw a virtual fence around a geographic area where a crime was committed. —Bronson Arcuri, NPR, 26 Apr. 2026

The virtual influencer is not, strictly speaking, new. —T. M. Brown, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026

In March 2020, a 17-year-old Sisson delivered a virtual TED talk addressed to Trump. —Jay Stahl, USA Today, 25 Apr. 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