virtually

adverb

vir·​tu·​al·​ly ˈvər-chə-wə-lē How to pronounce virtually (audio)
-chə-lē;
ˈvərch-wə-lē
Synonyms of virtually
1
a
: almost entirely : nearly
The project is virtually complete.
Virtually every applicant was overqualified for the job.
b
: for all practical purposes
She was virtually unknown prior to starring in the film.
It is virtually impossible to know the truth of the matter.
2
: by means of a computer or computer network : in a virtual location
The meeting is being held virtually.
They did all their shopping virtually.

Examples of virtually in a Sentence

We spent virtually all day shopping. The stadium was virtually empty by the time the game ended. I remember virtually everything he said. That illness is virtually unknown in this area.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Jules is an amalgam of real women who worked on Fleet Street—the street in central London that was, for a time, the center of the British newspaper industry, where virtually every major British newspaper had its offices. Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 25 Aug. 2026 The first two belong to the same patent family and concern tools used to assemble digital garments from two-dimensional pattern pieces, including functions that help designers match the lengths of segments being virtually sewn together. Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 25 Aug. 2026 In 2012, Congress, as well as the European Union, further targeted Iran’s oil revenue and its central bank, cutting Iran’s oil exports in half virtually overnight. Nate Swanson, Foreign Affairs, 25 Aug. 2026 Maxwell was subpoenaed to testify in front of the House Oversight Committee and appeared virtually in February. Ben Brachfeld, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for virtually

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Time Traveler
The first known use of virtually was circa 1600

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Cite this Entry

“Virtually.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/virtually. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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