• (RP) IPA: /ˈvɜːtʃuəl/, /ˈvɜːtʃəl/
• (America) IPA: /ˈvɝtʃuəl/
• (New Zealand) IPA: /ˈvɵːtʃuəl/, /ˈvɵːtʃəl/, [ˈvɵːtʃɯ(l)]

virtual (not comparable)

1. In effect or essence, if not in fact or reality; imitated, simulated.

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

   Virtual addressing allows applications to believe that there is much more physical memory than actually exists.

   • A thing has a virtual existence when it has all the conditions necessary to its actual existence.

   • to mask by slight differences in the manners a virtual identity in the substance

2. Having the power of acting or of invisible efficacy without the agency of the material or measurable part; potential.
   • 1626, Francis Bacon, Sylva Sylvarum, Or, A Naturall Historie: In Ten Centuries

     Heat and cold have a virtual transition, without communication of substance.

   • 1667, John Milton, “Book 10”, in Paradise Lost. A Poem Written in Ten Books, London: Printed [by Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […] [a]nd by Robert Boulter […] [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], OCLC 228722708 ↗; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: The Text Exactly Reproduced from the First Edition of 1667: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, OCLC 230729554 ↗:

     Every kind that lives, / Fomented by his virtual power and warmed.

3. Nearly, almost. (A relatively recent development in meaning)

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

   • 2012, Chelsea 6-0 Wolves

     The Chelsea captain was a virtual spectator as he was treated to his side's biggest win for almost two years as Stamford Bridge serenaded him with chants of "there's only one England captain," some 48 hours after he announced his retirement from international football.

4. Simulated in a computer or online.

   The virtual world of his computer game allowed character interaction.

5. Operating by computer or in cyberspace; not physically present.

   a virtual assistant; a virtual personal trainer

6. (computing, object-oriented programming, of a class member) Capable of being overridden with a different implementation in a subclass.
7. (physics) Pertaining to particles in temporary existence due to the Heisenberg uncertainty principle.

• (in effect or essence) de facto

• real

• French: virtuel
• German: eigentlich, virtuell
• Italian: virtuale
• Portuguese: virtual
• Russian: сло́вно
• Spanish: virtual

• French: virtuel
• Italian: virtuale
• Portuguese: virtual
• Russian: виртуа́льный

• French: pratiquement
• German: fast

• Portuguese: virtual
• Russian: виртуа́льный

virtual (plural virtuals)

1. (computing, programming) A virtual member function of a class.