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
The model expanded during the Covid pandemic, despite concerns from medical workers who worry that virtual care could be slower and less personal, which puts patients at risk.
—
Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 6 Apr. 2026
The program’s third cohort will soon commence a four-day hackathon with $20k in prizes up for grabs, followed by a Build Week in Seoul, a three-month virtual program, and a San Francisco Demo Day.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 6 Apr. 2026
The championship followed months of virtual qualifiers, with more than 500,000 players worldwide competing through PAPAYA’s Solitaire Cash app.
—Tracy Yochum, Miami Herald, 6 Apr. 2026
This was particularly notable given the very high level of Mitski Mania surrounding the underplays, which sold out in a virtual instant.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for virtual
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Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 6 Apr. 2026
The program’s third cohort will soon commence a four-day hackathon with $20k in prizes up for grabs, followed by a Build Week in Seoul, a three-month virtual program, and a San Francisco Demo Day.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 6 Apr. 2026
The championship followed months of virtual qualifiers, with more than 500,000 players worldwide competing through PAPAYA’s Solitaire Cash app.
—Tracy Yochum, Miami Herald, 6 Apr. 2026
This was particularly notable given the very high level of Mitski Mania surrounding the underplays, which sold out in a virtual instant.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for virtual
Cite this Entry
“Virtual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/virtual. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
adverb
-ē
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