literal

¹lit·er·al

adj \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

: 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

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

Antonyms: fictional, fictionalized, fictitious, nondocumentary, nonfactual, nonhistorical, unhistorical

Related Words: actual, authentic, bona fide, genuine, real, right; documented, established; confirmable, reliable, supportable, sustainable, verifiable; demonstrable, provable; incontestable, incontrovertible, indisputable, irrefutable, undeniable, unquestionable; plain, simple; certain, undoubted

Near Antonyms: hypothetical, speculative, theoretical (also theoretic); apocryphal, unauthentic, undocumented; chimerical (also chimeric), fabulous, fanciful, fantastic (also fantastical), imaginary, imagined, invented, legendary, made-up, make-believe, mythical (or mythic), pretend; embroidered, exaggerated; insupportable, unsupportable

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