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

Monday’s outage had such a widespread impact because many companies rely on cloud providers for the backend functions that support their businesses, such as virtual server space, storage or developer tools. —Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025

Whether or not Congress restores broader flexibilities, the operational case for resilient virtual care remains clear. —Scott R. Schell, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025

Starbucks announced the launch of Green Dot Assist in June, referring to it as a virtual assistant that helps baristas in real time. —Saleen Martin, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025

Don’t leave this waiting in your cart, though, because sizes and colors have been flying off the virtual shelves. —Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 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