Literal Definition Meaning | Britannica Dictionary The literal meaning of “know your ropes” is “to know a lot about ropes,” while figuratively it means “to know a lot about how to do something ” The story he told was basically true, even if it wasn't the literal truth He was a very literal [= literal-minded] man
LITERAL definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary You use literal to describe someone who uses or understands words in a plain and simple way Dennis is a very literal person If you describe something as the literal truth or a literal fact, you are emphasizing that it is true He was saying no more than the literal truth Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary
Literal - definition of literal by The Free Dictionary 1 in accordance with, involving, or being the primary or strict meaning of a word or words; not figurative or metaphorical 2 following the words of the original very closely and exactly: a literal translation 3 true to fact; unembellished; actual or factual: a literal description of conditions
literal, adj. n. meanings, etymology and more - Oxford English Dictionary Of or relating to a letter or letters I 1 a Of, relating to, or of the nature of a letter, or the letters, of the alphabet Also: consisting of or expressed in letters; written Now rare † voice of literal speech (quot a 1398): †the sounds represented by the letters (obsolete)
literal - WordReference. com Dictionary of English actual or factual: a literal description of conditions being actually such, without exaggeration or inaccuracy: the literal extermination of a city prosaic of or pertaining to the letters of the alphabet of the nature of letters expressed by letters affecting a letter or letters: a literal error n
Literal - Definition, Meaning Synonyms | Vocabulary. com 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 The background of literal includes the Latin litterālis, meaning "of letters or writing "
LITERAL Definition Meaning | Dictionary. com 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