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
Before this year's stream of Goonies reunions, the last time the cast got together was for a virtual fundraiser in 2020.
—
Grace Harrington, People.com, 8 June 2025
The common thread: The pursuit of crypto credentials that enable instant, irreversible transfers of virtual assets.
—Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 7 June 2025
Backed by the state government, Tesla and a local power company have created a virtual power plant fitting Powerwall battery systems on homes across the state.
—Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 6 June 2025
The tactical element, with characters moved around on a virtual board, was a visual and functional departure from the classic Final Fantasy games, and imbued a new kind of strategy.
—Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for virtual
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Grace Harrington, People.com, 8 June 2025
The common thread: The pursuit of crypto credentials that enable instant, irreversible transfers of virtual assets.
—Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 7 June 2025
Backed by the state government, Tesla and a local power company have created a virtual power plant fitting Powerwall battery systems on homes across the state.
—Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 6 June 2025
The tactical element, with characters moved around on a virtual board, was a visual and functional departure from the classic Final Fantasy games, and imbued a new kind of strategy.
—Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for virtual
Cite this Entry
“Virtual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/virtual. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
virtual
adjective
vir·tu·al
ˈvərch-(ə-)wəl
ˈvər-chəl
: being in effect but not in fact or name
a virtual dictator
: being on or simulated on a computer or computer network
a virtual classroom
virtually
adverb
-ē
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