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 called: literal error. a misprint or misspelling in a text

Other Word Forms

• literalness noun
• nonliteral adjective
• nonliterally adverb
• nonliteralness noun
• overliteral adjective
• unliteral adjective
• unliterally 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

Every burnt sauce, every floppy omelet, every literal grilled cheese attempt became a small opportunity for learning.

From Salon

If someone came in too factual and literal, I said no.

From Los Angeles Times

Hicks, who grasped the microphone to share words of wisdom on Sunday, was handed his literal flowers from Ansom midway through the day’s events.

From Los Angeles Times

Informing his literal interpretation of justice in black and white terms are old crime movies.

From Salon

Hegseth’s reductive view of gender is so over-the-top it’s hard to believe an adult human being wrote it — and it’s not just the literal fact that not all women are mothers.

From Salon

Related Words

• accurate 
• actual 
• authentic 
• true 
• unvarnished