LITERALLY Definition & Meaning

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literally

[ lit-er-uh-lee ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adverb

in the literal or strict sense:
She failed to grasp the metaphor and interpreted the poem literally.
What does the word mean literally?
in a literal manner; word for word:
to translate literally.
actually; without exaggeration or inaccuracy:
The city was literally destroyed.
in effect; in substance; very nearly; virtually:
I literally died when she walked out on stage in that costume.

literally

/ ˈ��ɪ��ə��ə��ɪ /

adverb

in a literal manner
(intensifier)
there were literally thousands of people

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Usage Note

Since the early 19th century, literally has been widely used as an intensifier meaning “in effect, virtually,” a sense that contradicts the earlier meaning “actually, without exaggeration”: The senator was literally buried alive in the Iowa primaries. The parties were literally trading horses in an effort to reach a compromise. The use is often criticized; nevertheless, it appears in all but the most carefully edited writing. Although this use of literally irritates some, it probably neither distorts nor enhances the intended meaning of the sentences in which it occurs. The same might often be said of the use of literally in its earlier sense “actually”: The garrison was literally wiped out: no one survived.

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Usage

The use of literally as an intensifier is common, esp in informal contexts. In some cases, it provides emphasis without adding to the meaning: the house was literally only five minutes walk away. Often, however, its use results in absurdity: the news was literally an eye-opener to me. It is therefore best avoided in formal contexts

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of literally¹

First recorded in 1525–35; literal + -ly

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

But banning words that give voice to the marginalized from official language is an attempt to silence opposition and, literally, to control the narrative.

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You look at the way that Big Tech has fracked our attention space, literally monetizing our eyes in ways that leave us more anxious, more lonely, more angry and further apart from each other.

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"Their enthusiasm was literally powerful enough to move the Earth."

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De minimis is a Latin term, which literally translates to "of the smallest".

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With 39 seconds left, fans silently filled the aisles and literally turned their back on their beloved Lakers, who historically dropped this first-round series four games to one.

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