Literal (Adjective)

Meaning 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".

Classification

All adjective clusters.

Examples

• The artist's use of bold colors and stark imagery conveyed the literal horror of the war.
• The company's financial struggles were a literal reflection of its poor management decisions.
• The hikers found themselves in a literal wilderness, with no signs of civilization in sight.
• The politician's words were a literal echo of the promises she had made during her campaign.
• The poet's description of the sunset was a literal translation of the beauty she saw in nature.

Synonyms

• Real
• Genuine
• Actual

Related Words

• Literalness (noun)

Meaning ²

Limited to the explicit meaning of a word or text; "a literal translation".

Classification

All adjective clusters.

Examples

• The poet's use of literal language made her words feel raw and unflinching.
• A literal interpretation of the contract would require us to fulfill every single clause.
• The artist's literal depiction of the cityscape was so detailed that it felt like a photograph.
• The teacher encouraged her students to think beyond the literal meaning of the poem and explore its symbolism.
• The literal translation of the phrase "break a leg" is nonsensical, but the idiomatic expression means "good luck".

Antonyms

• Figurative

Related Words

• Literalness (noun)

Meaning ³

Without interpretation or embellishment; "a literal depiction of the scene before him".

Classification

All adjective clusters.

Examples

• The documentary provided a literal account of the events, without adding any sensational or emotional spin.
• She took his words in a literal sense and thought he was serious about quitting his job.
• The artist's goal was to create a literal representation of the landscape, using only earth tones and realistic brushstrokes.
• The translator worked to convey the literal meaning of the text, without inserting any personal biases or opinions.
• The writer's literal description of the setting helped the reader to vividly imagine the scene.

Related Words

• Literalness (noun)

Meaning ⁴

Avoiding embellishment or exaggeration (used for emphasis); "it's the literal truth".

Classification

All adjective clusters.

Examples

• I'm telling you, it's the literal truth, I saw it with my own eyes.
• The story he told was so outlandish, but he swore it was the literal truth.
• She was determined to give her testimony without any embellishments, only sticking to the literal facts.
• I know it sounds unbelievable, but I'm not exaggerating, it's the literal truth.
• He promised to tell the literal truth, no matter how difficult it was to hear.