What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Virtual vs Visual - What's the difference?

virtual | visual |

As adjectives the difference between virtual and visual

is that virtual is in effect or essence, if not in fact or reality; imitated, simulated while visual is related to or affecting the vision.

As nouns the difference between virtual and visual

is that virtual is (computing) in c++, a virtual member function of a class while visual is any element of something that depends on sight.

virtual

English

(wikipedia virtual)

Alternative forms

* vertual (obsolete) * vertuall (qualifier) * virtuall (obsolete)

Adjective

(-)
  • In effect or essence, if not in fact or reality; imitated, simulated.
    • In fact a defeat on the battlefield, Tet was a virtual victory for the North, owing to its effect on public opinion.
    Virtual addressing allows applications to believe that there is much more physical memory than actually exists.
  • * Fleming
    • A thing has a virtual existence when it has all the conditions necessary to its actual existence.
  • * De Quincey
    • to mask by slight differences in the manners a virtual identity in the substance
  • Having the power of acting or of invisible efficacy without the agency of the material or measurable part; potential.
  • * Francis Bacon
    • Heat and cold have a virtual transition, without communication of substance.
  • * Milton
    • Every kind that lives, / Fomented by his virtual power, and warmed.
  • Nearly, almost. (A relatively recent corruption of meaning, attributed to misuse in advertising and media. )
    • The angry peasants were a virtual army as they attacked the castle.
  • * 2012 , Chelsea 6-0 Wolves [http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19632463]
    • The Chelsea captain was a virtual spectator as he was treated to his side's biggest win for almost two years as Stamford Bridge serenaded him with chants of "there's only one England captain," some 48 hours after he announced his retirement from international football.
  • Simulated in a computer or online.
    • The virtual world of his computer game allowed character interaction.
  • Operating by computer or in cyberspace; not physically present.
    • a virtual''' assistant; a '''virtual personal trainer
  • (computing, object-oriented programming, of a class member) Capable of being overridden with a different implementation in a subclass.
  • (physics) Pertaining to particles in temporary existence due to the Heisenberg uncertainty principle.

    • Synonyms

    * de facto

    Antonyms

    * de jure * legal * real

    Derived terms

    * virtual reality * virtually

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (computing) In C++, a virtual member function of a class.
    • ----

    visual

    English

    Alternative forms

    * visuall (qualifier)

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Related to or affecting the vision.
  • * {{quote-magazine, year=2013, month=May-June, author= William E. Conner
    • , title= An Acoustic Arms Race , volume=101, issue=3, page=206-7, magazine=(American Scientist) , passage=Earless ghost swift moths become “invisible” to echolocating bats by forming mating clusters close
  • (obsolete) That can be seen; visible.

    • Derived terms

    * visual poem * visualization * visualize * visually

    Related terms

    * envisage * evidence * visage * visible * vision * visionary

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Any element of something that depends on sight.
  • An image; a picture; a graphic.
  • (in the plural) All the visual elements of a multi-media presentation or entertainment, usually in contrast with normal text or audio.
  • (advertising) A preliminary sketch.

    • External links

    * * ----