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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

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   • 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 the literal sense of a word?

   • 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. 7 meanings: 1. in exact accordance with or limited to the primary or explicit meaning of a word or text 2. word for word 3..... Click for more definitions.

   LITERAL definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

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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 difference between literal and literal?

   • The word literal means, adhering to fact or primary meaning or exact, verbatim, without exaggeration. Literally means, in a literal sense, actually. Now, the problem with the word literally is that it is used most often as hyperbole or in an exaggerative sense. Obvious example: “The guy's literally an asshole.”

   What does 'literally' mean? I am so confused, literally. Do ... - Quora

   www.quora.com/What-does-literally-mean-I-am-so-confused-literally-Do-people-use-literally-the-wrong-way-See-the-description

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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

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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.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › us › definitionliteral adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and ...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › us › definition

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   Learn the meaning, pronunciation and usage of the word literal, which means being the most basic meaning of a word or phrase, rather than an extended or poetic meaning. See examples, synonyms and contrast with figurative and metaphorical.

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.