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Meaning of literal
The primary meaning of the word "literal" is being realistic and factual.
Etymology of literal
The word "literal" comes from the Latin "litteralis," meaning "of or relating to letters" or "verbal," and the Latin "littera," meaning "letter"
Historically, the term was used to describe a literal or verbal interpretation of a text, as opposed to a more figurative or allegorical one
Synonyms
actual
real
factual
true
exact
precise
accurate
genuine
authentic
truthful
honest
straightforward
uncomplicated
unambiguous
unequivocal
explicit
unmistakable
unexaggerated
realistic
pragmatic
matter-of-fact
down-to-earth
unvarnished
unadorned
unembellished
plain
simple
unpretentious
undisguised
frank
candid
sincere
verbatim
word-for-word
Definitions
- Taking words in their usual or most basic sense without metaphor or exaggeration
- * Being realistic and factual, rather than interpretive or approximate
Usage Examples
- The writer's literal translation of the poem failed to capture its poetic essence
- * She took his words in a literal sense, rather than understanding the underlying irony
- * The literal meaning of the phrase is often lost in translation
Antonyms
figurative
metaphorical
allegorical
symbolic
interpretive
approximate
exaggerated
hyperbolic
unrealistic
fanciful
imaginative
creative
poetic
rhetorical
euphemistic
ambiguous
vague
unclear
obscure
cryptic
enigmatic
ambiguous
misleading