adjective

literal

LIT-uh-rul

Literal (adjective) means taking the words of something in their basic, ordinary sense, without metaphor or exaggeration. Example: “He took my remark about eating a horse in the literal sense.”

adjective

Taking the words of something in their basic, ordinary sense, without metaphor or exaggeration.

"He took my remark about eating a horse in the literal sense."

"The literal meaning of "break the ice" has nothing to do with conversation."

Actually true, and not just a figure of speech.

"It was a literal race against time — the ferry left in nine minutes."

Of a translation: following the wording of the original closely rather than conveying its overall sense.

"A literal translation of the proverb makes no sense in English."

How to use literal

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishMeaning exactly what the words say, with nothing made up or exaggerated.

When to use it

Neutral and standard; the adverb "literally" as a pure intensifier is informal.

Memory tip

"Littoral" (with two t's) means relating to the shore — a completely different word.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

figurative → literary → littoral → literate →

Common pairings

literal meaning literal translation literal sense literal interpretation in the literal sense

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

He took my remark about eating a horse in the _____ sense.

Etymology

From Latin littera, meaning "letter", via Late Latin litteralis "of letters" — that is, keeping to the letter of the text.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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exact strict word-for-word plain actual genuine real verbatim

Antonyms

figurative metaphorical idiomatic free

Related words

right real free true available original exactly figure

Rhymes for literal

feral general liberal funeral lateral mineral federal several visceral ephemeral bilateral collateral

See all rhymes for literal →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between literal and figurative?

A literal statement means exactly what its words say. A figurative one uses those words to stand for something else, as in metaphor, simile or idiom. "She was drowning" is literal in a swimming pool and figurative in a pile of paperwork.

Why do people say "literally" when they don't mean it literally?

"Literally" has been used as a general intensifier for well over two centuries, in the same way as "absolutely" or "positively". Careful writers still avoid it where it contradicts the sentence, because the clash can be distracting or unintentionally comic.

Is literal the same as literary?

No. Literal means true to the exact wording. Literary means relating to literature or to a refined written style. The two are often confused because both come from the Latin word for "letter".

What is the meaning of literal?

"literal" (adjective) means taking the words of something in their basic, ordinary sense, without metaphor or exaggeration.

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