Literal

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /ˈlɪt(ə)ɹəl/

Definitions

1. Exactly as stated without exaggeration, metaphor, or interpretation; following the primary or strict meaning of language
2. Involving the precise and straightforward meaning of words without any figurative or symbolic interpretation
3. relating to the exact, primary sense of a term as opposed to any extended or metaphorical connotation

Etymology: Before it came to signify the straightforward or exact meaning of words, the adjective in question originally carried a more concrete sense tied closely to letters themselves. It stems from the Latin "littera," meaning "letter of the alphabet." This connection to the building blocks of written language places the word firmly in the realm of the tangible—the physical marks that form words. Its earliest appearances in English, dating back to the late Middle Ages, preserved this link with the written word. It described something related to letters, writing, or literacy. Over time, however, the meaning broadened and shifted from the physical letters to the meaning those letters convey. The term began to be used to emphasize the exact or primary sense of a word or phrase, as opposed to an interpretation or figurative use. This semantic evolution is a natural outcome of the relationship between letters and meaning. Just as letters are the literal components of writing, the "literal" sense came to mean the direct, unembellished meaning of language. It contrasts with metaphorical or symbolic meanings, which involve more imaginative or abstract interpretation. By the 17th century, the word was firmly established in English with this dual heritage, embodying both its origins in writing and its role in clarifying meaning.

Synonyms: exact, verbatim, unembellished, precise, straightforward

Antonyms: figurative, metaphorical, symbolic, abstract, nonliteral