virtual

Meanings

Plural: virtuals

Adjective Satellite

being actually such in almost every respect
- "the once elegant temple lay in virtual ruin"
existing in essence or effect though not in actual fact
- "a virtual dependence on charity"
- "a virtual revolution"
- "virtual reality"

Adj

In effect or essence, rather than in fact or reality; also, imitated, simulated.
For practical purposes, though not technically; almost complete, very near.
Operating using a computer and/or online rather than physically present.
Simulated in a computer and/or online.
Of a class member: capable of being overridden with a different implementation in a subclass.
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.
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.
Pertaining to particles in temporary existence due to the Heisenberg uncertainty principle.
Of a quantum state: having an intermediate, short-lived, and unobservable nature.
Having efficacy or power due to some natural qualities.
Having efficacy or power due to some natural qualities.
Of a plant or other thing: having strong healing powers; virtuous.
Having the power of acting without the agency of some material or measurable thing; possessing invisible efficacy.
Producing, or able to produce, some result; effective, efficacious.
Synonym of virtuous (“full of virtue; having excellent moral character”).

Noun

Preceded by the: that which is imitated or simulated rather than existing in fact or reality; (countable) an instance of this.
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.
A virtual (adjective sense 3.3) member function of a class.

Origin / 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”).
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

Synonyms

cyberreal, de facto, practical, virtuous

Antonyms

actual, real, true, veritable

Scrabble Score: 10

virtual is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
virtual is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
virtual is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 13

virtual is a valid Words With Friends word