Literal Definition & Meaning

literal
adjective
  1. being or reflecting the essential or genuine character of something; "her actual motive"; "a literal solitude like a desert"- G.K.Chesterton; "a genuine dilemma"
  2. without interpretation or embellishment; "a literal depiction of the scene before him"
  3. limited to the explicit meaning of a word or text; "a literal translation"
  4. avoiding embellishment or exaggeration (used for emphasis); "it's the literal truth"
noun
  1. a mistake in printed matter resulting from mechanical failures of some kind

"Literal" in song lyrics

See how literal is used in real songs:

  • "Pitiful, that you're not taking me literal"
    Benefit — Exact
  • "Never neglect the fact that, bad medicine, leads to sickness literal"
    Bizzy Bone f/ Kahnma — He Told Me
  • "Don't take this either personal, emotional or literal"
    Blue Scholars — Still Got Love

Usage tips for "literal"

Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "literal" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for literal to find words that pair well.

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