Virtual

/ˈvɜːt͡ʃʊəl/ adj, noun

adj, noun ·Common ·High school level

Meaning at a glance

  • Primary sense: Preceded by the: that which is imitated or simulated rather than existing in fact or reality; (countable) an instance of this.
  • Grammar: virtual is listed as adj, noun.
  • Nearest alternatives: accepted, almost, basic, between the lines.
  • Useful contrasts: actual, genuine, hands on inquiry.
  • Usage evidence: These days when I hear about these horrible incidents on the news I get the feeling that more and more young people are losing their ability to distinguish between real and virtual worlds.

How to use "virtual"

  1. Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
  2. Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "virtual" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
  3. Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.

Meaning check

  • Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
  • Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
  • Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
  • Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?

Source and review context

This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "virtual" in a final draft.

If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.

Before you rely on this definition

Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "virtual" as the right word for your sentence.

If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "virtual" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.

Compare nearby meanings

  • Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
  • Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
  • Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
  • Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.

Definition decision workflow

1. Identify the role

Check whether "virtual" is acting as adj, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.

2. Test the nearest option

Compare it with "accepted" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.

3. Confirm with context

Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.

Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.

Final meaning check

Before publishing a sentence with "virtual", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.

When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    Preceded by the: that which is imitated or simulated rather than existing in fact or reality; (countable) an instance of this. uncountable
  2. 2
    Preceded by the: that which is imitated or simulated rather than existing in fact or reality; (countable) an instance of this.; That which is simulated in a computer and/or online; virtual reality; (countable) an instance of this; specifically (gambling), a computer simulation of a real-world sport such as horse racing. uncountable
  3. 3
    A virtual (adjective adjective sense 3.3) member function of a class. countable
Adjective
  1. 1
    In effect or essence, rather than in fact or reality; also, imitated, simulated. not-comparable

    "In fact a defeat on the battlefield, Tet was a virtual victory for the North, owing to its effect on public opinion."

  2. 2
    For practical purposes, though not technically; almost complete, very near. not-comparable

    "The angry peasants were a virtual army as they attacked the castle."

  3. 3
    Operating using a computer and/or online rather than physically present. not-comparable

    "a virtual assistant    a virtual personal trainer"

  4. 4
    Simulated in a computer and/or online. not-comparable

    "virtual machine    virtual memory    virtual private network"

  5. 5
    Of a class member: capable of being overridden with a different implementation in a subclass. not-comparable
Show 10 more definitions
  1. 6
    Pertaining to a theoretical infinitesimal velocity in a mechanical system that does not violate the system's constraints; also, of other physical quantities: resulting from such a velocity. not-comparable

    "virtual displacement    virtual work"

  2. 7
    Pertaining to a theoretical quality of something which would produce an observable effect if counteracting factors such as friction are disregarded; specifically, of a head of water: producing a certain pressure if friction, etc., is disregarded. not-comparable
  3. 8
    Chiefly in virtual focus: of a focus or point: from which light or other radiation apparently emanates; also, of an image: produced by light that appears to diverge from a point beyond the reflecting or refracting surface. not-comparable
  4. 9
    Pertaining to particles in temporary existence due to the Heisenberg uncertainty principle. not-comparable, particle
  5. 10
    Of a quantum state: having an intermediate, short-lived, and unobservable nature. not-comparable
  6. 11
    Having efficacy or power due to some natural qualities. not-comparable, obsolete

    "[H]is ſenſes flame / Flovv'd from his parts, vvith force ſo virtuall, / It fir'd vvith ſence things meere inſenſuall."

  7. 12
    Having efficacy or power due to some natural qualities.; Of a plant or other thing: having strong healing powers; virtuous. also, figuratively, not-comparable, obsolete, specifically
  8. 13
    Having the power of acting without the agency of some material or measurable thing; possessing invisible efficacy. not-comparable, obsolete

    "VVater, being contiguous vvith Aire, Cooleth it, but Moiſteneth it not, except it Vapour. The Cauſe is, for that Heat, and Cold haue a Virtuall Tranſition, vvithout Communication of Subſtance; but Moiſture not: […]"

  9. 14
    Producing, or able to produce, some result; effective, efficacious. not-comparable, obsolete

    "For Dr. [John] Dee, in his Mathematical Preface to Euclids Elements of Geometrie, hath vvorthily taken pains to make Architecture a Mathematical Science; and as a vertual Proof of his ovvn Learned Plea, quotes tvvo Authentique Authors, viz. Vitruvius and Leo Baptiſta [i.e., Leon Battista Alberti], […]"

  10. 15
    Synonym of virtuous (“full of virtue; having excellent moral character”). not-comparable, obsolete

    "The moſt in ſoule deiected; the moſt baſe, / And moſt vnſeruiceable weede, vnles / You by your heauenly Influence change his vilenes / Into a vertuall habit fit for vſe."

Adjective
  1. 1
    existing in essence or effect though not in actual fact wordnet
  2. 2
    being actually such in almost every respect wordnet

Synonyms

All synonyms
acceptedalmostbasicbetween the linesbook club onlinecomputational model

Antonyms

actualgenuinehands on inquiryhands-on activity

Example

"These days when I hear about these horrible incidents on the news I get the feeling that more and more young people are losing their ability to distinguish between real and virtual worlds."

Common questions

What does "virtual" mean?

Preceded by the: that which is imitated or simulated rather than existing in fact or reality; (countable) an instance of this.

What is a synonym for "virtual"?

Common synonyms include: accepted, almost, basic, between the lines, book club online, computational model.

How do you use "virtual" in a sentence?

These days when I hear about these horrible incidents on the news I get the feeling that more and more young people are losing their ability to distinguish between real and virtual worlds.

How do you pronounce "virtual"?

Pronounced /ˈvɜːt͡ʃʊəl/.

Etymology

PIE word *wiHrós The adjective is derived from Middle English vertual, virtual [and other forms], from Old French vertüal, vertüelle (modern French virtuel), or from their etymon Medieval Latin virtuālis (“of or pertaining to potency or power; having power to produce an effect, potent; morally virtuous”), from Latin virtūs (“goodness, virtue; manliness, virility”) (from vir (“adult male, man”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *wiHrós (“man”), possibly from *weyh₁- (“to chase, hunt, pursue”)) + -tūs (suffix forming collective or abstract nouns)) + -ālis (suffix forming adjectives of relationship), modelled after virtuōsus (“good, virtuous”). Adjective sense 4 (“pertaining to a theoretical infinitesimal velocity in a mechanical system that does not violate the system’s constraints”) is borrowed from French virtuel, from Middle French virtuel, from Old French vertüal, vertüelle: see above. The noun is derived from the adjective. Cognates * French virtuel * Italian virtuale * Spanish virtual

More for "virtual"

Synonyms

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