literal — meaning in English

English meaning

• literal adjective Taking the words of something in their basic, ordinary sense, without metaphor or exaggeration.
• literally adv In a literal, exact sense; word for word, without exaggeration.
• verbatim adv Word for word, using exactly the same wording as the original.

Senses

literal is used for these senses in English:

• literal Exactly as stated; read or understood without interpretation; according to the letter; not figurative or metaphorical; following the letter or exact words; not taking liberties; etymonic rather than idiomatic.
• literally With phrasings that might normally be used or understood as figurative: truly; not figuratively; not as an idiom or metaphor.

literal — full definition

1. adjective Taking the words of something in their basic, ordinary sense, without metaphor or exaggeration.
2. adjective Actually true, and not just a figure of speech.
3. adjective Of a translation: following the wording of the original closely rather than conveying its overall sense.

literally — full definition

1. adv In a literal, exact sense; word for word, without exaggeration.
2. adv (informal) Used to add emphasis to a statement, even when it isn't meant word for word.

Related Spanish words