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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

   www.collinsdictionary.com/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 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. However, the problem with the word 'literally' is that it is often used most frequently as hyperbole or in an exaggerative sense. Obvious example: 'The guy's a literal asshole.' (means: The guy is an actual asshole) 'The guy's literally an asshole.' (means: The guy is an extremely or unusually 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

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   Learn the meaning of literal as an adjective that describes the original, basic meaning of a word or expression, or a translation that translates each word separately. See how to use literal in sentences and compare it with figurative.

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

   www.dictionary.com › browse › literal

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   Literal means in accordance with or limited to the primary or explicit meaning of a word or text. It can also refer to a typographical error involving a single letter. See examples, synonyms, and word history of literal.

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

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   Learn the meaning, pronunciation, synonyms, and usage of the word 'literal' in British and American English. Find out how to use 'literal' to describe words, phrases, translations, truths, and errors.

8. 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.

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

   www.thefreedictionary.com › literal

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   Literal means conforming to the primary or explicit meaning of a word or text, or word for word. It can also mean true, actual, or prosaic. See different sources and usage of literal in sentences.

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.