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

This shift complicates Colorado's inclusive pre-K initiative aimed at ensuring that virtually all 4-year-olds in the state get a pre-K education. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 2 Nov. 2026

Polling averages put Democratic insurgents narrowly ahead or virtually tied with GOP rivals in all the states. — Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 2 Nov. 2026

Instead, the threat of prosecution hangs over virtually any worker who processes ballots the Justice Department might seek to contest. — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2026

Mbappé probably could have said much worse things about virtually any other foreign leader, dead or alive, with almost zero blowback. — Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 30 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1b