Meaning
-
- Exactly as stated; read or understood without additional interpretation; according to the letter or verbal expression; real; not figurative or metaphorical, and etymonic rather than idiomatic.
- Following the letter or exact words; not free; not taking liberties
- (broadly) That which generally assumes that the plainest reading of a given scripture is correct but which allows for metaphor where context indicates it; (specifically) following the historical-grammatical method of biblical interpretation
- Consisting of, or expressed by, letters (of an alphabet)
- Unimaginative; matter-of-fact
- Used non-literally as an intensifier; see literally for usage notes.
Synonyms
literal error
in letters
sure-enough
llinguistic
not figurative
honest-to-god
Frequency
Pronounced as (IPA)
/ˈlɪt(ə)ɹəl/
Etymology
In summary
From Middle English literal, from Old French literal, from Late Latin litteralis, also literalis (“of or pertaining to letters or to writing”), from Latin littera, litera (“a letter”); see letter.
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Notes