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literal - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'literal' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Literal [ a.]
- According to the letter or verbal expression; real; not figurative or metaphorical; as, the literal meaning of a phrase.
- Following the letter or exact words; not free.
- Consisting of, or expressed by, letters.
- Giving a strict or literal construction; unimaginative; matter-of fast; -- applied to persons.
2 . Literal [ n.]
- Literal meaning.

Meaning of 'literal' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . literal [ a]
Meaning (1):
- limited to the explicit meaning of a word or text
Example in sentence:
  • a literal translation
2 . literal [ s]
Meaning (2):
- being or reflecting the essential or genuine character of something
Example in sentence:
  • a genuine dilemma;
  • a literal solitude like a desert;
  • her actual motive
Meaning (3):
- without interpretation or embellishment
Example in sentence:
  • a literal depiction of the scene before him
Meaning (4):
- avoiding embellishment or exaggeration (used for emphasis)
Example in sentence:
  • it's the literal truth

Nearby Words:

lit litanies litany litarge litate litchi lite liter literacy literalism

See 'literal' also in:

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Related Definitions

  • Literally
    Literally 'sidedness'; preferring either the left hand or foot, for instance, for a task that can be accomplished with either left or right limb.

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