virtuel

virtual

adjective veer-too-EL Rare

Also means

potential, near-actual

Usage Note

Virtuel has two senses: the modern 'virtual' (digital/simulated, as in réalité virtuelle) and an older philosophical sense meaning 'existing in potential but not yet actual'. The feminine form is virtuelle. The adverb virtuellement can mean both 'virtually' (by computer) and 'virtually' in the sense of 'almost entirely'.

Examples

"La réalité virtuelle est en plein essor."

Natural Translation

Virtual reality is booming.

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