literal-minded

[ lit-er-uhl-mahyn-did ]

adjective

1. unimaginative; prosaic; matter-of-fact.

Word History and Origins

Origin of literal-minded¹

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

"Sensitivity to language is important and necessary, but we've become too literal-minded".

From BBC

As Elizabeth Yuko wrote for the History Channel last year, it was the rise of Charismatic Christianity — and televangelists like Billy Graham — who helped bring the fiery and literal-minded approach to contemporary demon-busting.

From Salon

“I’m too literal-minded to take anybody’s word for anything. I was a complete beginner in the land of salt.”

From Washington Post

But they’re undeniably very pleasant, with reliable, if slightly literal-minded, composition and lovely colors.

From New York Times

But ultimately you will have to defer to the parent, even if you think they are being overprotective or too literal-minded.

From Washington Post