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

During virtual meetings, Brower and Simone, who are in their mid-30s, appeared on screen while Primrose lounged on their shoulders or heads. — Kyle Melnick The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2026

Meta has built safeguards around Muse Meta says Muse runs inside its own dedicated secure virtual machine in the cloud. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026

Safer ship designs A digital twin is a virtual model that mirrors a real-world physical object, system, or process using live data. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2026

In early September, there was a virtual call with 80-plus artists, executives and stakeholders from the Asian music community with trustees and governors from the Recording Academy to review the efficacy of the new award. — Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 2 Oct. 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