virtual

Everyday

1. (computing) Made or seen on a computer or online, not in the real physical world, such as a virtual tour or a virtual classroom. tree →
2. Almost completely something, though not officially or not quite: "a virtual stranger" is someone you hardly know. tree →
3. (science) In optics, a virtual image is one that seems to be behind a mirror or lens but cannot be shown on a screen. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life and school it often means online or computer-made: virtual reality (VR), a virtual museum visit, a virtual pet, virtual lessons from home. The second sense, "almost", is common in books and the news: "a virtual certainty" means almost certain. In physics lessons on mirrors, the image in a flat mirror is virtual. Phrases: "virtual reality", "a virtual tour", "a virtual certainty", "a virtual stranger".

Examples

• We went on a virtual tour of the Natural History Museum. tree →
• During the snow days we had virtual lessons on the laptop. tree →
• In virtual reality you feel as if you are inside the game. tree →
• My virtual pet needs feeding every day in the app. tree →
• The new kid was a virtual stranger to us. tree →
• It is a virtual certainty that it will rain in Manchester this week. tree →
• The image you see in a mirror is a virtual image. tree →
• The traffic jam brought the town to a virtual standstill. tree →

Note

Adjective; the adverb "virtually" usually means "almost" (virtually empty = almost empty), not "online". Safety: people you meet in a virtual world are still real people; never share personal details with strangers online. "Virtual" is not the same as "virtuous" (good and moral).