"Literally speaking" means to use words in their exact, primary meaning, without exaggeration or metaphor, emphasizing that something is factually true or actually happened, rather than being figurative or symbolic. It clarifies that a statement should be taken at face value, like saying "I literally saw a unicorn," meaning you actually saw one, not just figuratively felt amazed.
Literal language is the usage of words exactly according to their direct, straightforward, or conventionally accepted meanings: their denotation.
Literally is an adverb that means in the exact sense and without exaggeration. It can be replaces with actually and really. Figuratively is an adverb that means metaphorically or not literally; in a way that involves using words or phrases with a meaning that is different from usual.
The adverb literally means "actually," and we use it when we want others to know we're serious, not exaggerating or being metaphorical.
“Literally” is an adverb that means “exactly as stated” or “using the literal or primary meaning of a word.” A few synonyms for literally are “actually,” “completely,” and “directly.”
Figuratively is an adverb of the adjective figurative that means “of the nature of or involving a figure of speech.” It's typically metaphorical and not literal, which is a key difference in common usage between figuratively and literally.
People misuse the word “literally” for a number of reasons. For some, it's a lack of understanding; they do not fully understand the meaning of “literally.” Other people use it for emphasis, incorrectly of course. And still, others use it humorously (But remember, most English teachers are not that humorous).
actually directly exactly precisely really verbatim verily word for word.
What does literally mean? A very long time ago, the word had a single official definition. “Truly” and “actually” come close to this meaning; the original Merriam-Webster definition was “in a literal sense or manner.” So if you were “literally dying” after an embarrassing encounter, well, you needed to see a doctor.
"Literally" means in a literal manner; exactly as stated. It's used to emphasize that something is true without exaggeration or metaphor.
adverb. He took the remark literally. The party was attended by literally hundreds of people.
A euphemism is a mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered too harsh, blunt, or unpleasant, like saying "passed away" instead of "died," "let go" or "between jobs" for "fired," or "curvy" for "fat". These softened phrases make difficult or sensitive topics easier to discuss.
It's common knowledge that using the word "literally" to emphasize something is an example of hyperbole or exaggeration. When people express themselves in this manner, they are emphasizing the veracity or force of what they are expressing.
The debate over the misuse of the word can be traced to the 18th or 19th century (depending on whom you ask), and the abuse began gathering legitimacy by 1839, when Charles Dickens wrote in “Nicholas Nickleby'' that a character “had literally feasted his eyes in silence on his culprit.
Literal language refers to words being used exactly according to their usual meanings. Literal language does not exist in a vacuum. It cannot really be discussed without referring to figurative language, words going beyond their usual meanings to get a point across.
Figuratively means metaphorically, and literally describes something that actually happened. If you say that a guitar solo literally blew your head off, your head should not be attached to your body.
To speak literally, in this sense, is just to mean what one's words themselves say. Literally says, in effect, 'I mean what I'm saying: to understand me correctly you need add nothing to the meaning of my words'. In fact, this is a rather odd thing to say.
The word with 645 meanings is "run," according to the Oxford English Dictionary. This number refers specifically to the verb form, making it the most complex word in English, surpassing the former record-holder, "set". Its vast meanings range from physical movement to operating machines, managing businesses, and extending in a direction, a versatility that grew with societal changes like the Industrial Revolution.
While it may seem illogical for a word to evolve from having one exact meaning to then acquiring a second, opposite meaning, it is an interesting process that took literally to also mean 'figuratively'.
Some antonyms for the adverb “literally” include: Figuratively. Loosely. Metaphorically. Freely.
Definitions of nonliteral. adjective. (used of the meanings of words or text) not literal; using figures of speech. synonyms: figurative. analogical.
When we overuse the word literally, we are making statements that are not actually true. For example, if someone said “I'm literally dying of laughter,” they're implying that they are in the process of passing away from laughter, which is obviously not true.
"Obtuse" is good for some of these examples; for others, "overly concrete" or "overly literal."
In British English, "literally" has two common pronunciations: the more formal, dictionary version with four syllables (LIT-er-al-ly) and the more common, quicker, three-syllable version that sounds like LIT-rally, where the middle "er" becomes a merged "r" sound or a schwa. You'll often hear it pronounced as "lit-rally" (three syllables, stressing the first) in everyday speech, while the four-syllable version is also correct but less frequent.