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)
Synonyms
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
Ayana Archie, NPR, 18 Dec. 2024
The movie’s one outright mistake is suddenly shifting from emotional abuse to a literal assault that inadvertently plays like a queasy bad-taste joke about how artists get screwed.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024
Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024
Snyder uses this device of reasserting the mark by redoing it differently, accenting the literal by artificializing it.
—Barry Schwabsky, ARTnews.com, 17 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for literal 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
Sports UConn's Geno Auriemma, the new winningest NCAA coach, is honored with a literal goat
A deep sea creature kept washing ashore in California
Oarfish are known to swim in waters 300 to 3,000 feet below the surface.
—Ayana Archie, NPR, 18 Dec. 2024
The movie’s one outright mistake is suddenly shifting from emotional abuse to a literal assault that inadvertently plays like a queasy bad-taste joke about how artists get screwed.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024
Noun
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
Snyder uses this device of reasserting the mark by redoing it differently, accenting the literal by artificializing it.
—Barry Schwabsky, ARTnews.com, 17 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for literal
Video
Literally
A word that (literally) drives people nuts
Dictionary Entries Near literal
Cite this Entry
“Literal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/literal. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share