virtual

adjective

vir·​tu·​al ˈvər-chə-wəl How to pronounce virtual (audio)
-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 Riese exuberantly offers to lead me in a virtual tasting. Tamar Adler, Vogue, 18 Mar. 2024 Recall that in an ordinary quantum error-correcting code, a virtual qubit is encoded in superpositions of physical qubits. Ben Brubaker, WIRED, 17 Mar. 2024 It was held as a virtual conference for the past four years and will be a hybrid conference this year. James Raia, The Mercury News, 17 Mar. 2024 By March 2021, candlelight vigils and virtual memorial services took place across the United States, providing places for people to remember the roughly 530,000 Americans who died from Covid-19, and process the collective grief and trauma resulting from the pandemic’s first year. Elizabeth Yuko, Rolling Stone, 16 Mar. 2024 The brand's use of algorithms and AI to create new designs and the innovative virtual try-on tool is just the beginning. Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 16 Mar. 2024 As well as his wide-ranging philanthropic efforts, Donaldson has founded businesses MrBeast Burger, a virtual restaurant, and chocolate business Feastables. Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 15 Mar. 2024 Use the virtual try-on feature to select the perfect frame and their virtual prescription scanner to find the prescription of your current lenses. Kelsey Kunik, Verywell Health, 6 Mar. 2024 The virtual day of the summit is free to the public and dedicated to global talent and education about how to enter the entertainment industry. Rebecca Sun, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'virtual.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of virtual was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near virtual

Cite this Entry

“Virtual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/virtual. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

virtual

adjective
vir·​tu·​al ˈvərch-(ə-)wəl How to pronounce virtual (audio)
ˈvər-chəl
: being in effect but not in fact or name
a virtual dictator
virtually
adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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