virtual
adj.adj. Existing or happening on computers or the internet, not in the physical world. It can also mean something is true in effect, even if not in reality.
adj. Existing, seen, or done on computers or on the internet rather than in the physical world; also, existing in essence or effect, though not in actual fact or name.
We have a virtual meeting today.
The museum offers a virtual tour on its website for people who cannot visit in person.
The prime minister became the virtual ruler of the country, holding all the power in effect, though not officially in title.
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
Typically placed before the noun it modifies.
She is a virtual person.She is a virtuous person.Learners may confuse 'virtual' (existing online or in effect) with the similar-sounding 'virtuous' (having high moral standards).