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 WebKristen Baldwin, EW.com, 31 Oct. 2024
Agatha is surely one of the most interesting characters in the MCU, having ruined her relationship with her own son because of her literal lust for Death.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
Barry Schwabsky, ARTnews.com, 17 July 2024
Jo Bonney, directing, conjures an air of dread and surreality, amping each performance up a little past the literal.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 5 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for literal 
Adjective
How the hell are producers putting our Golden Bachelorette in the water with literal sharks?
—Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 31 Oct. 2024
Agatha is surely one of the most interesting characters in the MCU, having ruined her relationship with her own son because of her literal lust for Death.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
Noun
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
Jo Bonney, directing, conjures an air of dread and surreality, amping each performance up a little past the literal.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 5 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for literal
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'literal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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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 5 Nov. 2024.
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