adjective lit·er·al \ˈli-t(ə-)rəl\

: involving the ordinary or usual meaning of a word

: giving the meaning of each individual word

: completely true and accurate : not exaggerated

Full Definition of LITERAL

a :  according with the letter of the scriptures
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>
c :  free from exaggeration or embellishment <the literal truth>
d :  characterized by a concern mainly with facts <a very literal man>
:  of, relating to, or expressed in letters
:  reproduced word for word :  exact, verbatim <a literal translation>
lit·er·al·i·ty \ˌli-tə-ˈra-lə-tē\ noun
lit·er·al·ness \ˈli-t(ə-)rəl-nəs\ noun

Examples of LITERAL

  1. I was using the word in its literal sense.
  2. 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.
  3. a literal translation of a book
  4. The story he told was basically true, even if it wasn't the literal truth.

Origin of LITERAL

First Known Use: 14th century



Definition of LITERAL

:  a small error usually of a single letter (as in writing)

First Known Use of LITERAL


Rhymes with LITERAL

LITERALNESSES Defined for Kids


adjective lit·er·al \ˈli-tə-rəl\

Definition of LITERAL for Kids

:  following the ordinary or usual meaning of the words <I'm using the word in its literal, not figurative, sense.>
:  true to fact <She gave a literal account of what she saw.>
lit·er·al·ly adverb
lit·er·al·ness noun


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