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1. Dictionary

   literal

   /ˈlɪt(ə)rəl/

   adjective

   • 1. taking words in their usual or most basic sense without metaphor or exaggeration: "dreadful in its literal sense, full of dread"
   • ▪ free from exaggeration or distortion: "you shouldn't take this as a literal record of events" Similar strictfactualplainsimplebareexactstraightforwardstarkunvarnishedunexaggeratedunembellishedundistortedunadulteratedobjectivenarrowcorrecttruetruthfulfaithfulaccurategenuineauthenticveritableveraciousgospelOpposite metaphoricalfigurativelooseapproximate
   • ▪ absolute (used to emphasize that a strong expression is deliberately chosen to convey one's feelings): informal "fifteen years of literal hell"
   • 2. (of a translation) representing the exact words of the original text: "a literal translation from the Spanish" Similar word-for-wordverbatimline-for-lineletter-for-letterexactprecisefaithfulclosestrictto the letterundeviatingtrueaccuraterare:literatimOpposite looseliberalvague
   • ▪ (of a visual representation) exactly copied; realistic as opposed to abstract or impressionistic.
   • 3. (of a person or performance) lacking imagination; prosaic: "his interpretation was rather too literal" Similar literal-mindeddown-to-earthfactualmatter-of-factno-nonsenseunsentimentallevel-headedhard-headedprosaicunimaginativecolourlesspedestriantediousboringdullhumdrumuninspireduninspiringprosyOpposite whimsical
   • 4. of, in, or expressed by a letter or the letters of the alphabet: "literal mnemonics"

   noun

   • 1. a misprint of a letter. British

   Word Origin late Middle English: from Old French, or from late Latin litteralis, from Latin littera (see letter).

   Derivatives

   • 1. literality noun
   • 2. literalness noun

   Scrabble Points: 7

   • L

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   • I

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   • T

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   • E

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   • R

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   • A

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   • L

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2. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishLITERAL | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   LITERAL definition: 1. The literal meaning of a word is its original, basic meaning: 2. A literal translation of a…. Learn more.

3. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › literalLiteral Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › literal

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   : characterized by a concern mainly with facts. a very literal man. 2. : of, relating to, or expressed in letters. The distress signal SOS has no literal meaning. 3. : reproduced word for word : exact, verbatim. a literal translation.

4. www.dictionary.com › browse › literalLITERAL Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › literal

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   Literal definition: in accordance with, involving, or being the primary or strict meaning of the word or words; not figurative or metaphorical. See examples of LITERAL used in a sentence.

5. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionaryLITERAL | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

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   LITERAL meaning: 1. The literal meaning of a word is its original, basic meaning: 2. A literal translation of a…. Learn more.

6. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › literalLiteral - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › literal

   To describe something as literal is to say that it is exactly what it seems to be. For example, if you put up a literal barrier to keep the world out, you've actually built a real wall.

7. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishLITERAL definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   The literal sense of a word or phrase is its most basic sense. In many cases, the people there are fighting, in a literal sense, for their homes. American English : literal / ˈlɪtərəl /

8. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › englishliteral adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › english

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   Definition of literal adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

9. www.thefreedictionary.com › literalLiteral - definition of literal by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › literal

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   adj. 1. Conforming or limited to the simplest, nonfigurative, or most obvious meaning of a word or words. 2. Word for word; verbatim: a literal translation. 3. Avoiding exaggeration, metaphor, or embellishment; factual; prosaic: a literal description; a literal mind. 4. Consisting of, using, or expressed by letters: literal notation. n. Computers.

10. www.dictionary.com › browse › literalLITERAL Definition & Usage Examples | Dictionary.com

    www.dictionary.com › browse › literal

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    Literal definition: in accordance with, involving, or being the primary or strict meaning of the word or words; not figurative or metaphorical. See examples of LITERAL used in a sentence.

11. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-englishLITERAL | meaning - Cambridge Learner's Dictionary

    dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-english

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    The literal meaning of a word or phrase is its real or original meaning: the literal meaning / sense.