virtually

adverb

vir·​tu·​al·​ly ˈvər-chə-wə-lē 

-chə-lē;

ˈvərch-wə-lē

1

a

: almost entirely : nearly

The project is virtually complete.

Virtually every applicant was overqualified for the job.

b

: for all practical purposes

She was virtually unknown prior to starring in the film.

It is virtually impossible to know the truth of the matter.

2

: by means of a computer or computer network : in a virtual location

The meeting is being held virtually.

They did all their shopping virtually.

Synonyms of virtually

• practically
• almost
• nearly

Examples of virtually in a Sentence

We spent virtually all day shopping.

The stadium was virtually empty by the time the game ended.

I remember virtually everything he said.

That illness is virtually unknown in this area.

Recent Examples on the Web

Like virtually all waveguide display glasses, the MemoMind One doesn’t have much, if any, of an app ecosystem. — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 28 Sep. 2026

Mejia has been virtually alone in calling for more information from the Olympic organizers. — James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026

This very much resembled one of those until Mahomes hit Kelce with an 11-yard touchdown pass with 2 minutes 55 seconds left to account for the final score and virtually seal it. — Kansas City Star, 27 Sep. 2026

There is a big revelation less than halfway into the show, one that might even count as a plot twist, and thus something not to be spoiled… if not for the fact that virtually every synopsis in the last 70 years has included it in the first sentence. — Chris Willman, Variety, 24 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1b