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Added 9 October 2026

virtual

/ˈvɜːt͡ʃʊəl/ adjective

In Latin: virtualis Wiktionary

adjective Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about virtual at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Being actually such in almost every respect.
a practical failure
Existing in essence or effect though not in actual fact.
a virtual dependence on charity

Origin

PIE word *wiHrós The adjective is derived from Middle English vertual, virtual [and other forms], from Old French vertüal, vertüelle (modern French virtuel), or from their etymon Medieval Latin virtuālis (“of or pertaining to potency or power; having power to produce an effect, potent; morally virtuous”), from Latin virtūs (“goodness, virtue; manliness, virility”) (from vir (“adult male, man”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *wiHrós (“man”), possibly from *weyh₁- (“to chase, hunt, pursue”)) + -tūs (suffix forming collective or abstract nouns)) + -ālis (suffix forming adjectives of relationship), modelled after virtuōsus (“good, virtuous”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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