literal

//ˈlɪtərəl//
B2Frequency Level 10Neutral
Visual representation of literal

Adjective

literalCanonical form
1

Taking words in their usual or most basic sense without metaphor or allegory; exact.

The literal meaning of 'break a leg' is not what people intend when they say it.

2

Representing the exact words of the original text; word-for-word.

She made a literal translation of the French poem into English.

3

Absolute; without exaggeration or qualification.

The traffic was a literal nightmare this morning.

Noun

1

A misprint of a letter in printed or typed text.

The editor found several literals in the manuscript before it went to print.

literal - Deep Vocabulary