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

The president did little for Republican nominees in New Jersey and Virginia, too, and virtually nothing on a California ballot measure that could eliminate five Republican House seats. —David Weigel, semafor.com, 5 Nov. 2025

After returning from Tommy John surgery to make seven regular-season starts and five outings in the postseason, virtually everyone expected Bieber to turn down his $16 million player option and collect a $4 million buyout. —Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025

Murals depicting him mid-throw popped up in the city virtually overnight. —Sydney Lake, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2025

Lace up your sneakers or participate virtually to show up for this great cause. —Caroline Ritzie, Cincinnati Enquirer, 5 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1b