From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishvirtualvir‧tu‧al /ˈvɜːtʃuəl $ ˈvɜːr-/ ●●○ AWL adjective [only before noun] 1 ALMOSTvery nearly a particular thing Car ownership is a virtual necessity when you live in the country. Finding a cheap place to rent is a virtual impossibility in this area.2 ALMOSTmade, done, seen etc on the Internet or on a computer, rather than in the real world The website allows you to take a virtual tour of the art gallery. constructing virtual worlds► see thesaurus at artificial
Examples from the Corpus
virtual• The days of virtual 3-D chess are some way off yet.• She retains virtual control of her sons, the eldest of whom firmly remains second in line to the throne.• You can make your choice of virtual lavatory wall on which to scribble a message.• Others see even more practical applications for these virtual places.• Without knowing it, we can be virtual prisoners of all this judging.• Children were forced to work as virtual slaves in the factories.• The two countries are locked in a virtual state of war.From Longman Business Dictionaryvirtualvir‧tu‧al /ˈvɜːtʃuəlˈvɜːr-/ adjective [only before a noun]1a virtual monopoly, ban, takeover etc is so nearly a complete monopoly, ban etc that any difference is unimportantThey enjoy a virtual monopoly in sales of pickup trucks.Trading activity reached a virtual standstill.2virtual office/library/classroom etcCOMPUTING computer software that gives you the experience of being in a place, or allows you to do the things that you would do in a real office, library etcIn a virtual library, people can explore information resources from their desks.3virtual document/companion etcCOMPUTING a document etc that exists on a computer rather than in physical formBuying an air ticket involves the creation of several virtual documents.Origin virtual (1300-1400) Medieval Latin virtualis “having certain qualities or powers”, from Latin virtus; → VIRTUE 