literal

IPA/ˈlɪtərəl/
KK[lˈɪtɚəl]IPA/ˈlɪtərəl/

literal — adjective

  • literalpositive
  • more literalcomparative
  • most literalsuperlative

1. The plainest and most direct way to read a word, without figurative or symbolic

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

The plainest and most direct way to read a word, without figurative or symbolic layers.

Example

The literal meaning of 'fox' is a wild animal, not a clever person.

literal meaning vs. figurative meaning

When Ayana said she was 'dying of laughter,' she did not mean that literally.

Common collocations
  • literal meaning
  • literal sense
  • literal interpretation
  • literal reading
  • literal level
Synonyms
  • basic

    simpler and less technical; covers core meaning but lacks the contrast with figurative

  • exact

    emphasises precision rather than the basic-or-figurative distinction

  • denotative

    technical term used in linguistics; much more formal and less common

Antonyms
  • figurative

    the direct opposite — meaning extended through metaphor or imagery

  • metaphorical

    similar to figurative; refers specifically to comparison-based extensions of meaning

Grammar Patterns

the literal meaning/sense of [noun]

literal + noun

Usage Note

Frequently contrasted with 'figurative' or 'metaphorical' in language-learning contexts. This sense is the most common and appears in all registers.

Common Mistakes

She took his comment literally' (when meaning she misunderstood).
She took his comment at face value and missed the joke.
'literally' as an adverb often accompanies this sense, but the key is contrasting with figurative intent.

2. Describing a translation or transcription that reproduces each word of the origi

2.adjectiveB1
Definition

Describing a translation or transcription that reproduces each word of the original exactly, without adapting the phrasing to sound natural in the target language.

Example

A literal translation of the French phrase sounds awkward in English.

collocation: literal translation + sounds awkward

Reema's word-for-word translation of the German poem sounded very unnatural in English.

Common collocations
  • literal translation
  • literal rendering
  • literal version
  • literal reading
Synonyms
  • verbatim

    stronger emphasis on exact repetition; often used for speech and quotations rather than translation

  • word-for-word

    more colloquial and transparent; interchangeable but less formal

  • exact

    broader meaning; can refer to precision in any context, not only translation

Antonyms
  • idiomatic

    describes language that sounds natural in the target language, adapted rather than copied

  • free

    used in translation studies for versions that prioritise naturalness over word-level accuracy

Grammar Patterns

literal translation/rendering/version of [text]

Usage Note

Almost exclusively used attributively before nouns like 'translation,' 'rendering,' or 'version.' Predicative use ('this translation is literal') is possible but less common.

3. Describing a person, statement, or work that stays strictly with facts or obviou

3.adjectiveB2
Definition

Describing a person, statement, or work that stays strictly with facts or obvious details and shows no creative imagination or emotional depth.

Example

Padma's literal description of the sunset failed to capture its beauty.

collocation: literal description / literal mind

Erik's literal mind could not appreciate the abstract paintings at the gallery.

Common collocations
  • literal mind
  • literal description
  • literal account
  • literal interpretation
Synonyms
  • prosaic

    more formal; suggests a dry, uninspired quality in writing or speech

  • matter-of-fact

    emphasises a practical, emotionless tone rather than lack of creativity specifically

  • unimaginative

    more direct and negative; focuses solely on absence of creative thinking

Antonyms
  • creative

    opposite in the sense of producing original or imaginative work

  • imaginative

    stresses the ability to form new ideas and mental images

Grammar Patterns

literal + noun (mind, description, account)

subject + be + literal

Usage Note

Carries a mildly negative connotation. Often used to criticise art, writing, or thinking that is overly factual and fails to engage the audience.

literal — noun

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All five words describe closeness to an original, but they differ in scope and domain. 'Literal' specifically contrasts with 'figurative' or 'metaphorical' — it refers to the most basic, dictionary-level meaning of words, not the poetic or extended sense. 'Exact' is broader: it can describe any kind of precision ('the exact time,' 'an exact copy') without the figurative-or-not framework. 'Verbatim' applies only to speech or text reproduced word for word, often with an emphasis on exact repetition ('a verbatim transcript of the interview'). 'Word-for-word' is the everyday equivalent of 'verbatim' and is more commonly used for translation contexts. 'Faithful' is broader still — it means true to the spirit or details of an original but allows for some adaptation; a faithful translation may rearrange sentences for naturalness, while a literal one would not. For a learner distinguishing these, the key question is: are you contrasting with metaphor (→ 'literal'), demanding total precision (→ 'exact'), or describing reproduction of exact words (→ 'verbatim' or 'word-for-word')?

literal ↗exact ↗verbatim ↗word-for-word ↗faithful ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • in the literal sense
  • in a literal way
  • a literal interpretation of

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

The word 'literal' comes from Latin 'litteralis,' meaning 'of or belonging to letters or writing,' which derives from 'littera' ('letter of the alphabet'). It entered English in the late 14th century through Old French 'literal,' and for centuries was used mainly in contrast with 'figurative' or 'spiritual' interpretations of texts, particularly the Bible. Only later did it develop the additional senses of 'word-for-word' (16th century) and 'prosaic/unimaginative' (19th century). The noun sense referring to a typographical error comes from the phrase 'literal error' (17th century), later shortened to just 'literal.'