virtually

"Virtually" usually means almost or nearly, in a way that is close enough to be treated as true. You might say you have "virtually exhausted" your savings after a big purchase, meaning you have spent nearly every penny. It can also describe something done through the internet or a computer rather than in person, such as "meeting virtually" by video call. In both cases, the idea is about something being close to the real thing in effect, even if it is not exactly the same.

The word implies something that exists in effect, if not in fact. So, when you say something is "virtually certain," you mean it is highly probable—so likely, in fact, that you can treat it as a certainty even though a tiny chance of failure remains.

"Virtually" is an adverb with two main uses. At its core, it means "almost entirely" or "nearly." Imagine a detective who has virtually solved a case: they have pieced together nearly all the clues and are just moments away from a clear conclusion. Or perhaps a student virtually lived in the library during finals week; they were not literally sleeping there, but they were present so often that it felt that way.

In modern use, "virtually" is also closely linked with the digital world. We use it to describe experiences and actions carried out through technology. You can "virtually tour" a museum from your couch or "virtually attend" a wedding on the other side of the world. This use shows that something is happening through a screen or network instead of in the same physical space. It is not the same as being face-to-face, but it can serve a very similar purpose.

The word comes from "virtual," which describes something that exists in effect, even if not in a fully physical or exact form. Whether you are describing a task that is almost complete or an interaction happening online, "virtually" points to closeness, likeness, and practical equivalence rather than perfect sameness.