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
Johnson is putting a virtual administrative novice in charge of a system with more than 600 parks, a $598 million budget and about 6,000 employees.
—
Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025
The show has been held at the Peacock Theater at L.A. Live every year since 2013 (except for a virtual show in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic).
—Paul Grein, Billboard, 5 Mar. 2025
Fannie’s Friends support group: Fannie’s Friends is a virtual support group for adult daughters and granddaughters caring for those living with dementia.
—Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2025
The document does not explain it, but unofficial peso exchange rates for the dollar, the euro and a Cuban virtual hard currency known as the MLC are significantly more attractive than the government-set rate —the reason many Cubans prefer to get their hands on actual dollars.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for virtual
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025
The show has been held at the Peacock Theater at L.A. Live every year since 2013 (except for a virtual show in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic).
—Paul Grein, Billboard, 5 Mar. 2025
Fannie’s Friends support group: Fannie’s Friends is a virtual support group for adult daughters and granddaughters caring for those living with dementia.
—Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2025
The document does not explain it, but unofficial peso exchange rates for the dollar, the euro and a Cuban virtual hard currency known as the MLC are significantly more attractive than the government-set rate —the reason many Cubans prefer to get their hands on actual dollars.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for virtual
Articles Related to virtual
Cite this Entry
“Virtual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/virtual. Accessed 15 Mar. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share