literal
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.1lit·er·al
adjective \ˈli-t(ə-)rəl\Definition of LITERAL
1
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>
2
: of, relating to, or expressed in letters
3
— lit·er·al·i·ty \ˌli-tə-ˈra-lə-tē\ noun
— lit·er·al·ness \ˈli-t(ə-)rəl-nəs\ noun
See Examples of LITERAL
- 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.
Origin of LITERAL
Middle English, from Middle French, from Medieval Latin litteralis, from Latin, of a letter, from littera letter
First Known Use: 14th century
Related to LITERAL
- Synonyms
- documentary, hard, historical, factual, matter-of-fact, nonfictional, objective, true
2literal
nounDefinition of LITERAL
: a small error usually of a single letter (as in writing)
First Known Use of LITERAL
1622
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Previous Word in the Dictionary: literacy
All Words Near: literal
Previous Word in the Dictionary: literacy
All Words Near: literal
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