VUR-choo-uh-lee
/ˈvɝtʃuəli/
virtually is pronounced VUR-choo-uh-lee (/ˈvɝtʃuəli/). Virtually means almost or nearly, but with a sense of being close in effect or appearance rather than in reality. It is often used to describe something that is true in practice though not strictly so, or to denote a computer-mediated experience as if real. The term combines a sense of proximity with a virtual or simulated quality, frequently implying strong likelihood or approximation.
Virtually means almost or nearly, but with a sense of being close in effect or appearance rather than in reality. It is often used to describe something that is true in practice though not strictly so, or to denote a computer-mediated experience as if real. The term combines a sense of proximity with a virtual or simulated quality, frequently implying strong likelihood or approximation.
- You may carry an overly strong /t/ before the /ʃ/ or /tʃ/ sequence, producing a clipped start: focus on a clean but short /t/ integrated into the /tʃ/ blend rather than a standalone /t/. - Another frequent error is elongating the final /li/ into /лиː/; keep the final /li/ light and quick, with the /l/ not trailing into a vowel with extra color. - Some learners insert an extra vowel between /tu/ and /ə/ (e.g., /ˈvɜːrtjuːəli/); aim for a compact /tuə/ or /tuəli/ rather than a long diphthong. Use minimal pairs to lock the /tʃ/ and /u/ glide quickly together, then ease into the reduced /ə/ and lightly touch the /l/. - Misplacing syllable stress in connected speech can shift emphasis, making it sound like ‘VER-tyoo-uh-lee’; keep primary stress on the first syllable and let the rest flow quickly.
"The meeting was virtually canceled due to a power outage, though some participants attended in person."
"She is virtually certain to win after the final poll results."
"The software lets you simulate environments virtually, without leaving your desk."
Break it as /ˈvɜːrtʃuəli/ in US and /ˈvɜːtjuəli/ in UK, with primary stress on the first syllable. The sequence starts with a stressed 'VER' sound, then a fast /tʃu/ blend as in 'chew', followed by /əl/ and a light /i/ before the final /i/. In rapid speech, the middle /j/ can blur with the preceding /tʃ/ and the /uə/ can reduce to /uə/ or /u/ depending on dialect. See audio references from Pronounce or Forvo for natural intonation patterns.
Common errors include misplacing the secondary /tʃ/ blend (saying /vɜːrtʃuˈəli/ with a heavier 'oo-lee' ending) and substituting /t/ for the /tʃ/ before /ju/. Another pitfall is overpronouncing the /ju/ sequence as /jʊu/ or delivering too strong an /l/ after /ə/. The recommended correction is to maintain a brisk /tʃ/ onset after the initial stressed syllable, allow the /u/ to glide into a light /əl/ and finish with a subdued /i/; keep the vowels compact and avoid over-articulating the final vowels. Use minimal pairs to train the glide and the /l/ timing.
In US English, expect a clearer /ɜːr/ or /ɜːr/ in the first syllable with a slight rhotic tinge, and a pronounced /ju/ cluster before the final syllables. UK speakers often realize the /ɜː/ nucleus with a longer vowel and a non-rhotic /r/; the /ju/ may become /juː/ depending on the speaker. Australian pronunciation leans toward a centralized /ɜː/ and a tighter /j/ onset before /uəl/; vowels are generally more centralized with faster tempo. Regardless, the end result tends to /-uəli/ with minimal vowel length in fast speech.
The difficulty lies in the multi-phoneme cluster: the initial stressed /vɜːr/ with a rhotic or non-rhotic approach, followed by a tricky /tʃ/ blend that transitions into the /u/ glide, then the Schwa-like /ə/ and a trailing /li/ or /li/ with a light /l/ release. The sequence requires precise timing: a crisp /tʃ/ before the /u/ glide, quick /ə/ reduction, and a gentle /l/ at the end. Tension often comes from maintaining accurate tongue height and avoiding over-articulation in the /tʃ/ region.
A useful word-specific note is that the /tʃ/ sound in 'virtually' behaves like a coalescent cluster with the /u/ vowel, so the transition is not a separate 't' and 'ch' sounds but a single /tʃ/ articulation leading into /uə/ or /uə̯/. Practitioners often notice a very quick /tʃ/ that can blur into a /t/ or /d/ in casual speech; maintaining a distinct but brief /tʃ/ ensures the word remains recognizable as 'virtually' rather than 'vir-ow-lee'.
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- US: Rhotic accent with a clearer /r/ in the first syllable; reduce /ɜː/ toward /ɜ/ or /ɚ/ in rapid speech; brief /tʃ/ before /u/ maintains the /tʃu/ blend. IPA: /ˈvɜr tʃuəli/ or /ˈvɜr.tu.ə.li/. - UK: Non-rhotic; /ˈvɜː.tju.əli/ with a longer /ɜː/ nucleus and a smoother /tju/ sequence; the /ju/ often realized as /ʊəl/ or /juː/ depending on speaker. - AU: Tendency toward a centralized /ɜː/ with a compact /tʃ/ cluster; combine /tʃ/ and /u/ quickly, end with a light /li/; IPA: /ˈvɜːtʃuəli/ or /ˈvɜːtjuəli/; keep the rhythm tight and syllables clipped. - Common across accents: keep the /tʃ/ as a single affricate, avoid expanding to /tʃju/ with heavy vowel separation; reduce the mid vowels in the second syllable but maintain a clear /li/ at the end.
Virtually derives from the combination of the prefix virtual- with -ly, forming an adverb from the adjective virtual. The root virtual comes from Medieval Latin virtualis, from virtus ‘power, strength’ and the suffix -alis meaning ‘pertaining to.’ In classical Latin, virtualis referred to potential or effective power rather than actual existence. In English, early uses date from the 17th century in mathematical and philosophical contexts, where virtual quantities described dreamlike or potential states rather than concrete realities. By the 19th century, the sense broadened to “almost,” often paired with probabilities or approximate conditions. In the 20th century, with the rise of computing, virtual acquired a specialized meaning related to simulated environments and technologies (virtual reality, virtual offices). The modern usage retains both the core meaning of similarity or proximity and the tech-oriented sense of simulation. First known use in English attested in the 1600s in philosophical discourse, with the adverbial form solidifying later as usage expanded in science, technology, and everyday speech.
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Words that rhyme with "virtually"
-lly sounds
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