The adjective virtual is used to describe something that exists in essence but not in actuality. You may have made a virtual friend on an online gaming site, but don't expect that person to meet you for coffee.

Although virtual can be used to describe anything that exists in effect, but not in fact, it is often used to describe things created in a computer or online world. "She enjoyed playing the virtual role-playing game with her online friends." Virtual can also be used to mean "almost" — as in, "The blizzard brought the city to a virtual standstill, with subway and bus passengers stranded on the sidewalks."

Definitions of virtual
  1. adjective
    being actually such in almost every respect
    “the once elegant temple lay in virtual ruin”
    synonyms: practical
    aware or expressing awareness of things as they really are
  2. adjective
    existing in essence or effect though not in actual fact
    “a virtual dependence on charity”
    “a virtual revolution”
    virtual reality”
    basic and fundamental
  3. adjective
    occurring, existing, or carried out over a computer network
    synonyms: electronic
Word Family

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