WordGarden.ioliteral
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /lˈɪtərəl/
US
- /ˈlɪtərəl/
Meanings
Adjective
taking words in their basic exact sense rather than figuratively
word-for-word or exactly following the original wording or details
Noun
a fixed value written directly in source code
Beyond the definition
If someone takes your words literally, they understand them in their basic, factual sense, without looking for hidden meanings or metaphors. Imagine you say, "It's raining cats and dogs!" A person taking that literally might actually look outside expecting animals to fall from the sky. It's about taking things at face value. We often say "don't take it literally" when we do not mean something exactly as we said it, like in a joke or an exaggeration.
Think of a detective carefully examining clues. They need to focus on what is literally there, not jump to conclusions about what might be implied. Or consider instructions for building furniture: you need to follow them literally to avoid ending up with a wobbly table.
The word "literal" describes something factual, exact, and based on the ordinary meaning of words, without exaggeration, metaphor, or other figurative language. It is about understanding things as they are actually stated. For example, if you say "I have a ton of work to do," that is probably a figure of speech. But if you literally have a ton of bricks to move, that means you really have 2,000 pounds of bricks.
We often use "literal" when we want to make it clear that we mean something in its most straightforward sense. If someone asks how your day is going and you say, "It's been a rollercoaster," they might ask if you mean that literally. In other words, did you actually ride a rollercoaster?
The opposite of literal is figurative. Figurative language uses images, comparisons, and exaggeration to create a stronger feeling or a deeper meaning. Literal language stays close to the direct meaning. That is why being literal matters in legal documents, scientific reports, technical instructions, and anywhere else where precision is important.
The word also appears when we talk about exact wording or direct translation. A literal translation, for example, follows the original words very closely, sometimes so closely that it sounds unnatural in the new language. In the same way, a literal reading of a text sticks to the direct meaning rather than looking for symbolism or extra interpretation.
So when you want to emphasize that something means exactly what it says, with no hidden meaning added, "literal" is the right word. It keeps the focus on what is directly there, not on what someone might imagine or infer.
Examples
- 1
Word meaning
The literal meaning of "cold" is about temperature, not friendliness.
- 2
Figurative promise
Don't worry, I wasn't making a literal promise; I just meant I would try my best.
- 3
Historical accuracy
The film is based on real events, but it is not a literal record of what happened.
- 4
Translation
A literal translation of the joke sounds strange in English.
- Phraseliteral translation
one that follows the original words very closely
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Legal reading
Some readers prefer a literal interpretation of the law.
- Phraseliteral interpretation
understanding the words exactly as they are written
- 6
Child language
When my son hears "hold your horses," he looks for animals; he's very literal.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
- verbatim
- word-for-word
- denotative
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- literal meaning
- literal interpretation
- take it literally
- literal translation
Word family
- literally
- literalness
Explore
- denotation
- connotation
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- literalnounadjective
Forms
- literalspluralnounadjective