literal

CEFRC1

/ˈlɪt(ə)ɹəl/

adjective

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    adjective

    Using the exact meaning of words, without exaggeration or metaphor.

  2. 02

    adjective

    Extra detail

    Actual, real, physical.

Examples

  • I foolishly interpreted the idiom according to its literal sense.

  • I took it in a literal sense.

At a glance

Sits at C1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
1
Citations
4
Synonyms
4

Deep Dive

adjective

Extra meanings

  1. That which generally assumes that the plainest reading of a given text is correct but which allows for metaphor where context indicates it.

  2. 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.

  3. Following the historical-grammatical method of biblical interpretation.

More examples

In context

  • A literal reading of the law would prohibit it, but that is clearly not the intent.

  • The literal translation of Spanish irse al otro barrio is "to go to the other neighbourhood" but it means "to die".

  • a literal equation

Synonyms

Antonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The student interpreted the poem's words in a blank way, ignoring the symbolism.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

adjective

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.