What does "literal" mean?
A misprint (or occasionally a scribal error) that affects a letter.
Literal
/ˈlɪt(ə)ɹəl/ adj, noun
adj, noun ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A misprint (or occasionally a scribal error) that affects a letter.
- Grammar: literal is listed as adj, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: abecedarian, accepted, actual, allographic.
- Useful contrasts: figurative, free, illiteral.
- Usage evidence: I foolishly interpreted the idiom according to its literal sense.
How to use "literal"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "literal" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "literal" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "literal" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "literal" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "literal" is acting as adj, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "abecedarian" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "literal", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A misprint (or occasionally a scribal error) that affects a letter.
- 2 a mistake in printed matter resulting from mechanical failures of some kind wordnet
- 3 A value, as opposed to an identifier, written into the source code of a computer program.
- 4 A propositional variable, or the negation of a propositional variable. ᵂᵖ
- 5 Misspelling of littoral. alt-of, misspelling
Adjective
- 1 Exactly as stated; read or understood without interpretation; according to the letter; not figurative or metaphorical; following the letter or exact words; not taking liberties; etymonic rather than idiomatic.
"The literal translation of Spanish irse al otro barrio is "to go to the other neighbourhood" but it means "to die"."
- 2 Actual, real, physical.
"Mechanically, operating this hybrid vehicle is sort of a cross between driving a car and taming an animal, which means the movie treats the audience to the sight of a man (pretending to be a teenager) driving a literal monster truck in a field next to a woman (also pretending to be a teenager) riding a horse."
- 3 That which generally assumes that the plainest reading of a given text is correct but which allows for metaphor where context indicates it. broadly
- 4 Following the historical-grammatical method of biblical interpretation. specifically
"It is most important to distinguish literalistic from literal interpretation. [...] ‘Literalistic’ interpretation is like word-for-word translation that yields the verbally exact or ‘formally equivalent’ versions but also runs the risk of overlooking the main (illocutionary) point. Literal interpretation, on the other hand, is more like a translation that strives for dynamic equivalence and yields the literary sense."
- 5 Consisting of, or expressed by, letters (of an alphabet); using literation. uncommon
"a literal equation"
Show 3 more definitions
- 6 Unimaginative; matter-of-fact; literal-minded.
- 7 Used nonliterally as an intensifier. See literally for usage notes. proscribed
"Telemarketers are the literal worst."
- 8 Misspelling of littoral. alt-of, misspelling
Adjective
- 1 without interpretation or embellishment wordnet
- 2 limited to the explicit meaning of a word or text wordnet
- 3 avoiding embellishment or exaggeration (used for emphasis) wordnet
- 4 being or reflecting the essential or genuine character of something wordnet
Antonyms
Example
"I foolishly interpreted the idiom according to its literal sense."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "literal"?
Common synonyms include: abecedarian, accepted, actual, allographic, alphabetic, alphabetical.
How do you use "literal" in a sentence?
I foolishly interpreted the idiom according to its literal sense.
How do you pronounce "literal"?
Pronounced /ˈlɪt(ə)ɹəl/.
Etymology
From Middle English literal, from Old French literal, from Late Latin litteralis or literalis (“of or pertaining to letters or to writing”), from Latin littera or litera (“a letter”). See letter.