VTuber

• Vtuber

From Japanese VTuber, from English virtual + YouTuber.

• (Received Pronunciation)
  • (yod-coalescence) IPA^(key): /ˈviːˌtʃuː.bə/
  • (non-yod-coalescence) IPA^(key): /ˈviːˌtjuː.bə/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈviˌtu.bəɹ/
• Rhymes: -uːbə(ɹ)
• Hyphenation: V‧Tu‧ber

VTuber (plural VTubers)

1. Abbreviation of virtual YouTuber.
   • 2025 April 21, Ana Velans, “Why Is This ‘Gamer Supps’ VTuber Pushing the Great Replacement Theory?”, in VICE‎^[1], archived from the original on 14 May 2025:

     It’s a rite of passage for a growing VTuber to gain a Gamer Supps partnership, let alone snag a merchandise run via the company’s Waifu Cups line. […] While some VTubers may wink or nod to conservative beliefs, Kirsche has never hidden her political leanings.

From the initial letter of English virtual and the final of English YouTuber.

• IPA^(key): [bɯ̟it͡ɕɨːba̠ː]

VTuber(ブイチューバー) • (bui-chūbā) 

1. short for バーチャルYouTuber (bācharu yūchūbā, “virtual YouTuber”)

   『VTuber(ブイチューバー)なんだが配(はい)信(しん)切(き)り忘(わす)れたら伝(でん)説(せつ)になってた』

   “Bui-chūbā nanda ga haishin kiriwasuretara densetsu ni natteta”

   VTuber Legend: How I Went Viral After Forgetting to Turn Off My Stream

   • 2026 February 18, たまごまご, “フィクションの中で、“VTuber”はどのように描かれるか？ 『超かぐや姫！』『真夜中ハートチューン』『夜のクラゲは泳げない』等から見る現在の表現”, in MoguLive‎^[2]:

     本人(ほんにん)が仮(かり)に「8000歳(はっせんさい)」だというのなら、そう信(しん)じる姿勢(しせい)を取(と)って相手(あいて)の話(はなし)(ロールプレイ)に向(む)き合(あ)うのが、VTuber(ブイチューバー)を見(み)る時(とき)の”暗黙(あんもく)の了解(りょうかい)”だ。

     Honnin ga kari ni “hassen-sai” da to iu no nara, sō shinjiru shisei o totte aite no hanashi (rōrupurei) ni mukiau no ga, bui-chūbā o miru toki no ” anmoku no ryōkai” da.

     If the streamer says that they are "8000 years old", participating in the roleplay by believing in this is the "silent agreement" when watching VTubers.

• Sometimes preferred as an alternative term that avoids direct usage of the commercial name YouTube.

• Vtuber, vtuber

Unadapted borrowing from English VTuber.

• Rhymes: -ubeʁ, -ubeɾ
• Hyphenation: V‧Tu‧ber

VTuber m or f by sense (plural VTubers)

1. virtual YouTuber

   Synonym: youtuber virtual