[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/virtually/)

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# virtually

adverb (virtually)

«virtually» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Almost; very nearly but not quite: «virtually empty» means almost completely empty. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/virtually/#m1)
2. In a computer or online world rather than in real life: «we met virtually» means we met on a video call or online. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/virtually/#m2)
3. (formal) In effect, as good as: «it is virtually impossible» means it can hardly ever happen. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/virtually/#m3)

### In the lessons

In everyday talk it softens a big word like «all», «every», «nothing» or «impossible». In science and computing it means «done by computer, not in person»: a virtual tour, virtual lessons, virtual reality. In maths word problems «virtually all» does not give an exact number. Phrases: «virtually impossible», «virtually nothing», «virtually everyone», «meet virtually».

### Examples

- The bus was virtually empty after the last stop. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/virtually/#x1)
- Virtually everyone in our class has a library card. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/virtually/#x2)
- It is virtually impossible to lick your own elbow. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/virtually/#x3)
- During the snow days we had lessons virtually, on the laptop. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/virtually/#x4)
- The two pictures are virtually the same, but one has a missing button. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/virtually/#x5)
- My nan visits us virtually every Sunday by video call. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/virtually/#x6)
- There was virtually no rain all summer, so the grass went brown. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/virtually/#x7)
- You can now visit the museum virtually from home. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/virtually/#x8)

### Note

Adverb from «virtual». «Virtually» means almost, NOT exactly: «virtually all the cake» means a tiny bit is left. Do not confuse with «actually» (really, in fact). In maths it gives no number; never treat «virtually all» as «all». Online sense: «virtual» means made by computer.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «virtually» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/virtually/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«virtually» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/virtually.html) on Mova free.