virtualize
gb/vˈɚt͡ʃuəlˌaɪz/ us/vˈɚt͡ʃuəlˌaɪz/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Verb
technical
C1
action
1
create a virtual computer resource
to make a computer system or resource work as software instead of as a separate physical machine
Usage pattern:
virtualize [a resource/system/workload]
Common mistake:
Do not confuse virtualize with visualize. Virtualize is mainly about creating a virtual computer resource; visualize means to form a picture or show data visually.
Synonyms
emulate (means to imitate another system; often more about copying behavior than creating a virtual resource)
|
abstract (means to hide technical details; broader and less specifically about virtualization)
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containerize (means to package software in containers; related but more specific)
Antonyms
run natively (means to run directly on the actual hardware or operating system rather than in a virtual layer)
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devirtualize (means to move away from a virtualized setup, often back to physical or native resources)
Collocations
virtualize a server
|virtualize hardware
|virtualize infrastructure
|virtualize applications
|virtualize desktops
|virtualize storage
|virtualize networks
|virtualize workloads
|virtualize a data center
|virtualize computing resources
Themes
technology
|computing
|software
|infrastructure
Examples
- The company virtualized most of its servers to reduce hardware costs.
- This platform lets administrators virtualize storage and manage it from one dashboard.
- Some legacy applications are difficult to virtualize because they depend on specific hardware.
Learner examples
- We virtualized the old server.
- The team wants to virtualize its desktops.
Verb
business
C1
action
2
move an activity online
to change an activity so people can do it online instead of meeting in person
Usage pattern:
virtualize [an activity/service/process]
Common mistake:
This use is common in business and technology contexts, but in everyday speech people more often say move online or hold online.
Synonyms
move online (more common and neutral in everyday English)
|
take online (informal and practical; often used for classes, events, or services)
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digitize (broader; means to convert information or processes into digital form)
Antonyms
hold in person (means to conduct an event or activity face to face)
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return offline (means to move an activity back out of an online environment)
Collocations
virtualize an event
|virtualize a conference
|virtualize training
|virtualize onboarding
|virtualize a classroom
|virtualize customer service
|virtualize a workshop
|virtualize a process
Themes
technology
|business
|education
|work
|internet
Examples
- The university virtualized many of its classes during the pandemic.
- We had to virtualize the annual conference and stream all the sessions online.
- The clinic virtualized some follow-up appointments to make care easier for patients in rural areas.
Learner examples
- They virtualized the workshop.
- The school virtualized some classes.
Grammar
Dictionary form
virtualize
IPA
GB/vˈɚt͡ʃuəlˌaɪz/
US/vˈɚt͡ʃuəlˌaɪz/
Syllables & stress
vir - tu - al - ize (4 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (vir)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: virtualize
- 3rd Person Singular: virtualizes
- Present Participle: virtualizing
- Past: virtualized
- Past Participle: virtualized
Expressions
virtualize away
1/vˈɚt͡ʃuəlˌaɪz əwˈeɪ/
phrasal verb
technical
hide through virtualization
to use virtualization so users or software do not need to deal with a hardware detail or limit
Examples
- The hypervisor virtualizes away many differences between the underlying machines.
- Cloud platforms virtualize away much of the complexity of managing physical servers.
- The system virtualizes away the storage hardware, so applications see one large pool of capacity.