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   literal

   /ˈlɪt(ə)rəl/

   adjective

   • 1. taking words in their usual or most basic sense without metaphor or exaggeration: "dreadful in its literal sense, full of dread"
   • ▪ free from exaggeration or distortion: "you shouldn't take this as a literal record of events" Similar strictfactualplainsimplebareexactstraightforwardstarkunvarnishedunexaggeratedunembellishedundistortedunadulteratedobjectivenarrowcorrecttruetruthfulfaithfulaccurategenuineauthenticveritableveraciousgospelOpposite metaphoricalfigurativelooseapproximate
   • ▪ absolute (used to emphasize that a strong expression is deliberately chosen to convey one's feelings): informal "fifteen years of literal hell"
   • 2. (of a translation) representing the exact words of the original text: "a literal translation from the Spanish" Similar word-for-wordverbatimline-for-lineletter-for-letterexactprecisefaithfulclosestrictto the letterundeviatingtrueaccuraterare:literatimOpposite looseliberalvague
   • ▪ (of a visual representation) exactly copied; realistic as opposed to abstract or impressionistic.
   • 3. (of a person or performance) lacking imagination; prosaic: "his interpretation was rather too literal" Similar literal-mindeddown-to-earthfactualmatter-of-factno-nonsenseunsentimentallevel-headedhard-headedprosaicunimaginativecolourlesspedestriantediousboringdullhumdrumuninspireduninspiringprosyOpposite whimsical
   • 4. of, in, or expressed by a letter or the letters of the alphabet: "literal mnemonics"

   noun

   • 1. a misprint of a letter. British

   Word Origin late Middle English: from Old French, or from late Latin litteralis, from Latin littera (see letter).

   Derivatives

   • 1. literality noun
   • 2. literalness noun

   Scrabble Points: 7

   • L

     1

   • I

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   • T

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   • E

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   • R

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   • A

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   • L

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2. People also ask

   What is the literal meaning of a word?

   • LITERAL definition: 1. The literal meaning of a word is its original, basic meaning: 2. A literal translation of a…. Learn more.

   LITERAL | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/literal

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   What is a literal translation?

   • The literal sense of a word or phrase is its most basic sense. In many cases, the people there are fighting, in a literal sense, for their homes. A literal translation is one in which you translate each word of the original work rather than giving the meaning of each expression or sentence using words that sound natural .

   LITERAL definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/literal

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   What is the literal sense of a word or phrase?

   • The literal sense of a word or phrase is its most basic sense. In many cases, the people there are fighting, in a literal sense, for their homes. Read about the team of authors behind Collins Dictionaries.

   LITERAL definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/literal

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   How do you describe a literal person?

   • You use literal to describe someone who uses or understands words in a plain and simple way. Dennis is a very literal person. If you describe something as the literal truth or a literal fact, you are emphasizing that it is true. He was saying no more than the literal truth. Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary.

   LITERAL definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/literal

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3. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › literalLiteral Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › literal

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   Learn the meaning of literal as an adjective and a noun, with synonyms, examples, and word history. Find out how literal differs from figurative, irony, and hyperbole.

4. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishLITERAL | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   Learn the meaning of literal as an adjective that describes words or expressions with their original, basic meaning or translation. See how to use literal in sentences and compare it with figurative.

5. Videos

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6. www.dictionary.com › browse › literalLITERAL Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › literal

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   Literal definition: in accordance with, involving, or being the primary or strict meaning of the word or words; not figurative or metaphorical. See examples of LITERAL used in a sentence.

7. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › literalLiteral - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › literal

   To describe something as literal is to say that it is exactly what it seems to be. For example, if you put up a literal barrier to keep the world out, you've actually built a real wall.

8. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishLITERAL definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   Learn the meaning and usage of the word literal, which can describe a word or phrase in its most basic sense, a translation that follows the original words, or a person who is unimaginative. Find synonyms, pronunciation, and related terms for literal.

9. www.thefreedictionary.com › literalLiteral - definition of literal by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › literal

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   Literal means taking words in their primary sense without metaphor or allegory, or word for word. It can also mean true, actual, or expressed by letters. See different sources and usage of literal.

10. www.yourdictionary.com › literalLiteral Definition & Meaning | YourDictionary

    www.yourdictionary.com › literal

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    Learn the meaning of literal as an adjective, noun, and typographical error. Find synonyms, antonyms, examples, and word forms of literal.