literalize

[ lit-er-uh-lahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, lit·er·al·ized, lit·er·al·iz·ing.

1. to make literal; interpret literally.

Other Words From

• liter·al·i·zation noun
• liter·al·izer noun
• un·liter·al·ized adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of literalize¹

First recorded in 1820–30; literal + -ize