Virtually
adverb
Almost or very nearly, although not completely or exactly.
The disease is virtually unknown in developed countries
Often appears as...
- virtually impossible
- virtually identical
adverb
In effect, even if not in fact or according to the exact definition.
Her vigorous campaigning virtually won the election
Often appears as...
- virtually won
- virtually gone
adverb
In the realm of computer technology.
I am virtually present in the meeting through video conferencing
Often appears as...
- virtually present
- virtually assisted
Usage tips
Technical
adverb
Almost or very nearly, although not completely or exactly.
The disease is virtually unknown in developed countries
Often appears as...
- virtually impossible
- virtually identical
adverb
In effect, even if not in fact or according to the exact definition.
Her vigorous campaigning virtually won the election
Often appears as...
- virtually won
- virtually gone
adverb
In the realm of computer technology.
I am virtually present in the meeting through video conferencing
Often appears as...
- virtually present
- virtually assisted
Usage tips
Technical
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Almost Complete
Use 'virtually' to suggest a situation is so nearly complete that minor details are negligible.
Her thesis was virtually finished, just the bibliography to go.
Pro Tip 2/3Hyperbolic Intensity
'Virtually' can intensify a statement, making the condition seem more extreme.
The stadium was virtually empty after the loss.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Literal
Use it to indicate that you are not speaking literally, but want to make a strong point.
He was virtually flying down the street on his skateboard.
Compare with
almostbasicessentialnearlypractical
Never forget "Virtually"
Humans forget easily. That's why you should download WordUp: Smart reminders, word games, AI practice, and much more!
Video examples
Your body language may...
before class even starts, like they really want to occupy space. When they sit down, they're sort of spread out. They raise their hands like this. You have other people who are virtually collapsing when they come in. As soon they come in, you see it. You see it on their faces and their bodies,
Video examples
At what moment are you...
to the point where they are virtually paused. And research into cryonics hopes to achieve the same by freezing dying people and reviving them later when newer technology is able to help them. See, if the cells are frozen, there's very little molecular movement, and diffusion practically stops.
Video examples
Is there a disease that...
involving cats, their rodent prey, and virtually all other birds and mammals, including humans. Documented human infections go as far back as ancient Egypt. We found samples in mummies. Today, about a third of the world's population is infected,
Video examples
What happens when you...
but whose function was unknown. At first glance, the operation had succeeded. H.M.'s seizures virtually disappeared, with no change in personality, and his IQ even improved. But there was one His memory was shot.
Video examples
The Fish That Hunts...
they have proliferated virtually exterminated the local fish stocks and they've now developed a taste for pigeon
Video examples
Rare Tiger vs Boar Fight...
To see a tiger hunting boar is extremely rare. To capture it on camera is virtually impossible.
Video examples
The impact of Simón...
he was his his life was virtually over his tuberculosis that had started at the age
Video examples
Giant Crocodilians PIPE...
to be virtually inaccessible to outsiders even poachers rarely venture here
Video examples
Odd Bird Seduction...
Oh, dear, there's virtually nothing left.
Video examples
The Life Story...
dear there's virtually nothing left
Video examples
Your body language may...
before class even starts, like they really want to occupy space. When they sit down, they're sort of spread out. They raise their hands like this. You have other people who are virtually collapsing when they come in. As soon they come in, you see it. You see it on their faces and their bodies,
Video examples
At what moment are you...
to the point where they are virtually paused. And research into cryonics hopes to achieve the same by freezing dying people and reviving them later when newer technology is able to help them. See, if the cells are frozen, there's very little molecular movement, and diffusion practically stops.
Video examples
Is there a disease that...
involving cats, their rodent prey, and virtually all other birds and mammals, including humans. Documented human infections go as far back as ancient Egypt. We found samples in mummies. Today, about a third of the world's population is infected,
Video examples
What happens when you...
but whose function was unknown. At first glance, the operation had succeeded. H.M.'s seizures virtually disappeared, with no change in personality, and his IQ even improved. But there was one His memory was shot.
Video examples
The Fish That Hunts...
they have proliferated virtually exterminated the local fish stocks and they've now developed a taste for pigeon
Video examples
Rare Tiger vs Boar Fight...
To see a tiger hunting boar is extremely rare. To capture it on camera is virtually impossible.
Video examples
The impact of Simón...
he was his his life was virtually over his tuberculosis that had started at the age
Video examples
Giant Crocodilians PIPE...
to be virtually inaccessible to outsiders even poachers rarely venture here
Video examples
Odd Bird Seduction...
Oh, dear, there's virtually nothing left.
Video examples
The Life Story...
dear there's virtually nothing left
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Julia Glass
American Novelist
I talked late, swam late, did not learn to ride a bike until college - and might never have walked or learned to drive a car if my parents hadn't overruled my lack of motivation and virtually forced me to embrace both forms of transportation. I suspect I was happy to sit in a corner with a book.
Quote examples
James Dobson
American Psychologist
Homosexuals can be, you know, committed to each other. And they have freedom to behave in the ways that they do, but they cannot be a family. They cannot be married. I mean, virtually every culture in the history of the world has considered marriage to be between one woman and one man.
Quote examples
Jose Ferreira
American Businessman
Education is among the most important problems we face because it's the ultimate 'gateway' problem. That is, it drives virtually every global problem that we face as a species. But there's a flip-side: if we can fix education, then we'll dramatically improve the other problems, too.
Quote examples
Nigella Lawson
British Journalist
Then again, they're not scripted and I feel it's virtually impossible to be anything but yourself when you're in front of the cameras and cooking so there is a measure of truth in what you see.
Quote examples
Penn Badgley
American Actor
We live in a world that does not recognize virtually anyone outside of the white male or the beautiful white woman who has to be an object of desire and affection.
Quote examples
Gok Wan
British Author
People assume I must have this fantastic body that I'm dying to show off but the truth is I have body issues - just like virtually everybody else.
Quote examples
Joseph B. Wirthlin
American Businessman
Our computers have become windows through which we can gaze upon a world that is virtually without horizons or boundaries.
Quote examples
Lou Holtz
American Coach
Virtually nothing is impossible in this world if you just put your mind to it and maintain a positive attitude.
Quote examples
Kate O'Mara
English Actress
I've been vegetarian for virtually all of my adult life, and I do adopt a very strict health regime.
Quote examples
Daniel Keys Moran
American Writer
Plot and character are virtually the same thing.
Quote examples
Julia Glass
American Novelist
I talked late, swam late, did not learn to ride a bike until college - and might never have walked or learned to drive a car if my parents hadn't overruled my lack of motivation and virtually forced me to embrace both forms of transportation. I suspect I was happy to sit in a corner with a book.
Quote examples
James Dobson
American Psychologist
Homosexuals can be, you know, committed to each other. And they have freedom to behave in the ways that they do, but they cannot be a family. They cannot be married. I mean, virtually every culture in the history of the world has considered marriage to be between one woman and one man.
Quote examples
Jose Ferreira
American Businessman
Education is among the most important problems we face because it's the ultimate 'gateway' problem. That is, it drives virtually every global problem that we face as a species. But there's a flip-side: if we can fix education, then we'll dramatically improve the other problems, too.
Quote examples
Nigella Lawson
British Journalist
Then again, they're not scripted and I feel it's virtually impossible to be anything but yourself when you're in front of the cameras and cooking so there is a measure of truth in what you see.
Quote examples
Penn Badgley
American Actor
We live in a world that does not recognize virtually anyone outside of the white male or the beautiful white woman who has to be an object of desire and affection.
Quote examples
Gok Wan
British Author
People assume I must have this fantastic body that I'm dying to show off but the truth is I have body issues - just like virtually everybody else.
Quote examples
Joseph B. Wirthlin
American Businessman
Our computers have become windows through which we can gaze upon a world that is virtually without horizons or boundaries.
Quote examples
Lou Holtz
American Coach
Virtually nothing is impossible in this world if you just put your mind to it and maintain a positive attitude.
Quote examples
Kate O'Mara
English Actress
I've been vegetarian for virtually all of my adult life, and I do adopt a very strict health regime.
Quote examples
Daniel Keys Moran
American Writer
Plot and character are virtually the same thing.
Example 1 of 10
WordUp Chrome Extension
As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.
Get Chrome Extension