literal

[ lit-er-uhl ]

adjective

1. in accordance with, involving, or being the primary or strict meaning of the word or words; not figurative or metaphorical:

   the literal meaning of a word.

2. following the words of the original very closely and exactly:

   a literal translation of Goethe.

3. true to fact; not exaggerated; actual or factual:

   a literal description of conditions.

   Synonyms: reliable, exact, truthful

4. being actually such, without exaggeration or inaccuracy:

   the literal extermination of a city.

5. (of persons) tending to construe words in the strict sense or in an unimaginative way; matter-of-fact; prosaic.
6. of or relating to the letters of the alphabet.
7. of the nature of letters.
8. expressed by letters.
9. affecting a letter or letters:

   a literal error.

noun

1. a typographical error, especially involving a single letter.

literal

/ ˈlɪtərəl; ˌlɪtəˈrælɪtɪ /

adjective

1. in exact accordance with or limited to the primary or explicit meaning of a word or text
2. word for word
3. dull, factual, or prosaic
4. consisting of, concerning, or indicated by letters
5. true; actual
6. maths containing or using coefficients and constants represented by letters: ax² + b is a literal expression Compare numerical

noun

1. Also calledliteral error a misprint or misspelling in a text

Derived Forms

• ˈliteralness, noun

Other Words From

• liter·al·ness noun
• non·liter·al adjective
• non·liter·al·ly adverb
• non·liter·al·ness noun
• over·liter·al adjective
• un·liter·al adjective
• un·liter·al·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of literal¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Late Latin litterālis “of letters.” See letter ¹, -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of literal¹

C14: from Late Latin litterālis concerning letters, from Latin littera letter

Example Sentences

The best part is when Evans, as Jack, attempts to explain the whole mess to his son and ends up describing the inexplicable and ridiculous plot in a hilariously flat and literal manner.

From Los Angeles Times

But it's also a good idea not to be overly literal about the 4B movement.

From Salon

Caitlyn makes this clear during a pivotal scene when she follows the literal letter of Vi’s advice to “take the shot” if she sees an opening by endangering the aforementioned Zaun child.

From Salon

For millions of Americans in the Southwest, the extreme heat from climate change is a literal life-and-death matter.

From Salon

The press is unwise to take it as a literal description of an immigrant who is living and working without proper documentation.

From Salon

Related Words

• accurate
• actual
• authentic
• true
• unvarnished