Definitions for literally
ˈlɪt ər ə lilit·er·al·ly

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:5.0 / 1 vote

1. literallyadverb

   in a literal sense

   "literally translated"; "he said so literally"

2. literallyadverb

   (intensifier before a figurative expression) without exaggeration

   "our eyes were literally pinned to TV during the Gulf War"

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. literallyadverb

   word for word; not figuratively; not as an idiom or metaphor

   When I saw on the news that there would be no school tomorrow because of the snowstorm, I literally jumped for joy, and hit my head on the ceiling fan.

2. literallyadverb

   used non-literally as an intensifier for figurative statements: virtually (often considered incorrect; see usage notes)

3. literallyadverb

   Used as a generic downtoner: just, merely.

   You literally put it in the microwave for five minutes and it's done.

Samuel Johnson's DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Literallyadverb

   Etymology: from literal.

   1. According to the primitive import of words; not figuratively.

   That a man and his wife are one flesh, I can comprehend the meaning of; yet literally taken, it is a thing impossible. Jonathan Swift.

   2. With close adherence to words.

   Endeavouring to turn his Nisus and Euryalus as close as I was able, I have performed that episode too literally; that giving more scope to Mezentius and Lausus, that version, which has more of the majesty of Virgil , has less of his conciseness. Dryden.

   So wild and ungovernable a poet cannot be translated literally; his genius is too strong to bear a chain. Dryden.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Literally

   Literally is an English adverb. It has been controversially used as an intensifier for figurative statements.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. literally

   Literally is an adverb which means in a literal manner or sense; exactly. It is used to emphasize the truth and accuracy of a statement or description, often to express surprise or to emphasize something that is really true and not metaphorical or hyperbolic.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Literallyadverb

   according to the primary and natural import of words; not figuratively; as, a man and his wife can not be literally one flesh

2. Literallyadverb

   with close adherence to words; word by word

Suggested ResourcesRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Literally

   Literally vs. Figuratively -- In this Grammar.com article you will learn the differences between the words Literally and Figuratively.

British National Corpus

1. Written Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'literally' in Written Corpus Frequency: #2440

2. Adverbs Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'literally' in Adverbs Frequency: #291

How to pronounce literally?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say literally in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of literally in Chaldean Numerology is: 5

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of literally in Pythagorean Numerology is: 6

Examples of literally in a Sentence

1. Joe Gross:

   It’s all literally coming out of this one hole. This literally must be like a year of hair.

2. The Italian photographer Majoli:

   The picture is (taken) in a bar that is literally 100 meters from one of the places (that was attacked), actually, it was a surprise that it was open -- the bar. People were standing outside, having their brunch or whatever, and literally 100 meters (about 330 feet) away, eight hours before, 18 people (were) being killed.

3. Enrico Vitello:

   We found, literally, a floating cemetery. Bodies were everywhere. With the dinghies we had to literally slalom among the corpses.

4. Eugene Kennedy:

   The real test of friendship is Can you literally do nothing with the other person Can you enjoy together those moments of life that are utterly simple They are the moments people look back on at the end of life and number as their most sacred experiences.

5. Avril Lavigne:

   I was in Los Angeles, literally, like the worst time in my life and I was seeing, like, every specialist and literally, the top doctors. It’s so stupid.

Popularity rank by frequency of use