lit·er·al
ˈli-t(ə-)rəl 
1
a
: according with the letter of the scriptures
adheres to a literal reading of the passage
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
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
The distress signal SOS has no literal meaning.
: a small error usually of a single letter (as in writing)
Examples of literal in a Sentence
Adjective
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 1 July 2025
Farming is complex, Burnett says, because inventory (like livestock) has a literal lifecycle—it is born, grows, and dies.
—Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 1 July 2025
Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2025
Even in his Lear’s final moments, Branagh, despite the God’s eye above him, chooses the literal over the cosmic.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for literal
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Adjective
One boss fight in particular should’ve been a greater challenge, but between DK and Pauline dropping literal bombs on the foe, the encounter was over in moments.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 1 July 2025
Farming is complex, Burnett says, because inventory (like livestock) has a literal lifecycle—it is born, grows, and dies.
—Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 1 July 2025
Noun
But Lynch was also an artist in every sense of the word, including the literal.
—Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2025
Even in his Lear’s final moments, Branagh, despite the God’s eye above him, chooses the literal over the cosmic.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for literal
Video
Literally
A word that (literally) drives people nuts
Cite this Entry
“Literal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/literal. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
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