First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1literal
adjective lit·er·al \ˈli-t(ə-)rəl\
: involving the ordinary or usual meaning of a word
: giving the meaning of each individual word
: completely true and accurate : not exaggerated
Full Definition of LITERAL
1
a : according with the letter of the scriptures 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> 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
3
— lit·er·al·i·ty \ˌli-tə-ˈra-lə-tē\ noun
— lit·er·al·ness \ˈli-t(ə-)rəl-nəs\ noun
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Origin of LITERAL
Middle English, from Middle French, from Medieval Latin litteralis, from Latin, of a letter, from littera letter
Related to LITERAL
- Synonyms
- documentary, hard, historical, factual, matter-of-fact, nonfictional, objective, true
2literal
noun
Definition of LITERAL
: a small error usually of a single letter (as in writing)
First Known Use of LITERAL
1622
LITERAL[1] Defined for Kids
literal
adjective lit·er·al \ˈli-tə-rəl\
Definition of LITERAL for Kids
1
: following the ordinary or usual meaning of the words <I'm using the word in its literal, not figurative, sense.>
2
: true to fact <She gave a literal account of what she saw.>
— lit·er·al·ly adverb
— lit·er·al·ness noun
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