virtual
virtual Lexical Profile
virtual Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Created, simulated, or carried out by means of a computer or computer network rather than existing in the physical world.
"The museum now offers a virtual tour that allows students to explore ancient artifacts from their classrooms."
Almost or nearly as described, so as to be considered such in essence or practical effect though not in strict fact or official name.
"Following the merger, the company held a virtual monopoly over regional rail transport."
In optics and physics, relating to an apparent image formed where light rays appear to diverge without actually converging, or to a transient subatomic particle whose existence is inferred from indirect interactions.
"A plane mirror always produces a virtual image that appears to be located behind the reflective surface."
Word Nuance & Usage
When meaning 'almost' or 'in effect', 'virtual' is used strictly as an attributive adjective before a noun (e.g., 'a virtual monopoly'), never predicatively after a linking verb.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from Medieval Latin 'virtualis', from Latin 'virtus' meaning 'strength, efficacy, or moral excellence', originally referring to something that possesses certain physical virtues or capacities in essence even if not in outward form.