lit·er·al
ˈli-t(ə-)rəl 
1
a
: according with the letter of the scriptures
adheres to a literal reading of the passage
b
: adhering to fact or to the ordinary construction or primary meaning of a term or expression : actual
liberty in the literal sense is impossible—
B. N. Cardozo
B. N. Cardozo
c
: free from exaggeration or embellishment
the literal truth
d
: characterized by a concern mainly with facts
a very literal man
2
: of, relating to, or expressed in letters
The distress signal SOS has no literal meaning.
: a small error usually of a single letter (as in writing)
Synonyms
Examples of literal in a Sentence
Adjective
I was using the word in its literal sense.
The literal meaning of “know your ropes” is “to know a lot about ropes,” while figuratively it means “to know a lot about how to do something.”
a literal translation of a book
The story he told was basically true, even if it wasn't the literal truth.
Recent Examples on the Web
Stuart Miller, Variety, 21 Nov. 2024
Whatever happened to those solid-gold watches, the Doxa community broadly objected to this literal and metaphorical change in tone.
—Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 21 Nov. 2024
Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024
Snyder uses this device of reasserting the mark by redoing it differently, accenting the literal by artificializing it.
—Barry Schwabsky, ARTnews.com, 17 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for literal 
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Adjective
In the film, the Charles family must reconnect with its past to exorcise the spirit, both literal and existential, that troubles them.
—Stuart Miller, Variety, 21 Nov. 2024
Whatever happened to those solid-gold watches, the Doxa community broadly objected to this literal and metaphorical change in tone.
—Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 21 Nov. 2024
Noun
Even in his Lear’s final moments, Branagh, despite the God’s eye above him, chooses the literal over the cosmic.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024
Snyder uses this device of reasserting the mark by redoing it differently, accenting the literal by artificializing it.
—Barry Schwabsky, ARTnews.com, 17 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for literal
Video
Literally
A word that (literally) drives people nuts
Dictionary Entries Near literal
Cite this Entry
“Literal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/literal. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
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