literal

adjective

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lit·er·al | \ ˈli-t(ə-)rəl

Definition of literal

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : 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

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.

3 : reproduced word for word : exact, verbatim a literal translation

literal

noun

Definition of literal (Entry 2 of 2)

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

Other Words from literal Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Phrases Containing literal Learn More About literal

Other Words from literal

Adjective

literality \ ˌli-tə-ˈra-lə-tē

\ noun

literalness \ ˈli-t(ə-)rəl-nəs

\ noun

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: Adjective Its mission: giving a safe space to those who push the boundaries of good taste, literal and otherwise. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 21 June 2022 The object that gives Kamala her powers is a bangle from her nani, a literal and physical connection to her culture and heritage. — Katherine Singh, refinery29.com, 16 June 2022 Such legends can be both literal and metaphorical, Dr. Hikuroa said. — New York Times, 1 June 2022 Anxiety was the theme of Joyce Kim’s Art of Public Speaking collection, which captured the physical effects of the condition in ways literal and poetic. — Vogue, 23 May 2022 The matchup with Seattle will be a fight – literal and otherwise – to the end. — Samantha Meese, oregonlive, 6 May 2022 An easy way to immediately feel more grounded in the most literal sense is to take your shoes off and feel the earth—the grass, the sand, the soil—with the bottoms of your feet, Kamau says. — Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, 8 June 2022 In a literal sense, cowboy boots can be tricky to work into your wardrobe. — Shelby Ying Hyde, Harper's BAZAAR, 30 May 2022 Horrible, but also wonderful; an outrage, a revelation, and in the literal sense of the word, an ecstasy. — Kent Russell, Harper’s Magazine , 25 May 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun David was contending with two friendship deaths—one literal, the other metaphorical. — Jennifer Senior, The Atlantic, 9 Feb. 2022 Tony’s asphyxiation of Christopher makes the metaphorical literal. — Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2021 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'literal.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.