The difference between Almost and Virtually

When used as adverbs, almost means very close to, but not quite, whereas virtually means almost but not quite.


Almost is also noun with the meaning: something or someone that doesn't quite make it.

check bellow for the other definitions of Almost and Virtually

  1. Almost as an adverb:

    Very close to, but not quite.

    Examples:

    "Almost all people went there.'' - Not all but very close to it."

    "We almost missed the train.'' - Not missed but very close to it."

  1. Almost as a noun (informal):

    Something or someone that doesn't quite make it.

    Examples:

    "In all the submissions, they found four papers that were clearly worth publishing and another dozen almosts."

  1. Virtually as an adverb:

    Almost but not quite.

    Examples:

    "With our w medicare supplemental insurance plan, there are virtually no claim forms to fill out. (Advertisement)"

    "synonyms: as good as"

  2. Virtually as an adverb:

    Without exaggeration.

  3. Virtually as an adverb:

    In essence, but not in fact.

  4. Virtually as an adverb (algebra):

    Of a substructure of finite index.

    Examples:

    "'virtually indicable"

  5. Virtually as an adverb (topology):

    Of a covering space of finite index.

    Examples:

    "'virtually Haken"