# virtual vs virtue

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### virtual
*adjective · IPA /ˈvɜːt͡ʃʊəl/ · frequency rank #4,202*
In effect or essence, rather than in fact or reality; also, imitated, simulated.

### virtue
*noun · IPA /ˈvɜːt͡ʃuː/ · frequency rank #7,872*
(uncountable) The idea of all that is good or excellent (in every sense of those terms) in a human being, collectively instantiated by a varying number of human traits known as "the virtues", the enumeration of which vary by the many virtue systems which have developed within different cultures, religions, and historical periods.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/vs/virtual-vs-virtue