virtual

Academic Word List, sublist 8.

About 12.47 uses per million words.

Meaning

1. adjective In effect or essence, rather than in fact or reality; also, imitated, simulated.

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

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

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

3. adjective Operating using a computer and/or online rather than physically present.

   a virtual assistant; a virtual personal trainer

4. adjective Operating using a computer and/or online rather than physically present.

   a virtual assistant; a virtual personal trainer

5. adjective Simulated in a computer and/or online.

   virtual machine; virtual memory; virtual private network

6. adjective Of a class member: capable of being overridden with a different implementation in a subclass.
7. adjective 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.

   virtual displacement; virtual work

8. adjective 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. 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.

Similar words

practical realistic essential simulated quasi fictional versatile theoretical fictitious notional

Often followed by

reality machine memory monopoly world work private environment image environments

Word family

virtually