literal

noun adjective

Stress: first syllable

Syllables: lit-er-al (3)

English Definition

Taking words in their usual or most basic sense without metaphor.

Example Sentence

The literal meaning of the word is quite different.

US IPA /ˈlɪtərəl/

UK IPA /ˈlɪtərəl/

exact factual verbatim precise unexaggerated

figurative metaphorical symbolic