literally meaning examples
This sense has been in standard use by many esteemed writers since the 18th century. A very special article about 'very' (& 'actually', 'really', 'ultimately'...), Literally every modern dictionary includes this definition. In such examples, 'literally' is being used for the sake of emphasis alone. 18:22-23 and 20:13). Please report examples to be edited or not to be displayed. We will all be in the same boat. You literally flew over the roofs. 1. : in a literal way: such as. By blow up, do you mean literally or figuratively? Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free! Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible). For example, 'It is time to feed the cats and dogs.'. He's a sailor who knows his ropes, literally and figuratively. She refused food and literally starved herself to death. An example might be helpful here. These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'literally.' Opposites of Literally; figuratively; metaphorically; suspiciously; doubtfully; hesitatingly; in suspense; shilly-shally; loose; flaccid; limp; slack; flabby; Example Sentences with Literally; He literally translate from English into France. actual "letters" h-o-r-n-y], has horns growing out of his head! 4. This company spent literally millions of dollars on this lawsuit. 3. adverb [ADVERB with verb] If a word or expression is translated literally, its most simple or basic meaning is translated. Europe, with Germany literally and figuratively at its centre, is still at the start of a remarkable transfor In the Law of Moses, homosexual activity was punishable by death (Lev. Take the following couple of sentences by way of example: to run quickly, very tired). An example of literally is when you say you actually received 100 letters in response to an article. If you’re describing what actually happened, without exaggeration or inaccuracy, then literally is the right choice. For example: Although you may not literally know everything there is to know about sports, you can probably tell us literally everything that happened during the last play. What made you want to look up literally? 'Nip it in the butt' or 'Nip it in the bud'. Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way. Examples and Observations. " Literally is defined as something that is actually true, or exactly what you are saying word for word. Let’s trace the history of this meandering adverb. 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. Examples from the Corpus literally • They reached the summit together hand in hand, quite literally. I have thrown the proposal out. It was rated as hardest by a survey of all the undergraduates. There are literally hundreds of prizes to win. Synonyms: exactly, really, closely, actually More Synonyms of literally. Send us feedback. a : in a way that uses the ordinary or primary meaning of a term or expression He took the remark literally. A stanza is, literally, a room. That's just a turn of phrase. 3. adverb. People with autism spectrum disorder often take things literally. Seconds literally ticked away on the old grandfather clock in the next room. “Literally.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/literally. The word "volk" translates literally as "folk." used to emphasize the truth and accuracy of a statement or description, a story that is basically true even if not, used in an exaggerated way to emphasize a statement or description that is not literally true or possible, Even Muff did not miss our periods of companionship, because about that time she grew up and started having, … yet the wretch, absorbed in his victuals, and naturally of an unutterable dullness, did not make a single remark during dinner, whereas I, The story he told was basically true, even if it wasn't, Part horror novel, part social commentary, Jones’s book follows a group of Native American friends haunted —, Taylor Swift fans are known for investigating and decoding, Selena Gomez's Rare Beauty has begun teasing its summer releases, starting at the base (, Western journalism in the 19th century was a blood sport — often, But there’s something else: Why not host a stage production from, Over the past five years, more than 25 new Portland-area pop-ups, carts and restaurants have started serving smash burgers —, Post the Definition of literally to Facebook, Share the Definition of literally on Twitter, used to stress that a statement or description is true and accurate even though it may be surprising, Words We're Watching: (Figurative) 'Super-Spreader'. Literally the most misused word The adverb clutters our speech to the point where it is in danger of losing its literal meaning. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. a word that can be used both literally and figuratively. (disappeared) " The car literally … Examples of literally literally Moreover, human individuals and institutions "invest," metaphorically, or even literally , in other individuals or institutions to enhance their own returns. — Kiran Ravindran in Koodiyattom Nobody is going to put explosives in your shoes. (true, real) " His actions were literally insane. " 'Tiramisu' literally translates as 'pick-me-up'. If a word or expression is translated literally, its most simple or basic meaning is translated. The "in effect; virtually" meaning of literally is not a new sense. (informal) used to emphasize a word or phrase, even if it is not actually true in a literal sense. literalmente. She'd never thought he meant she'd literally help revive the planet. "** Americans often use it in a completely different way. " Her crazy stories are literally true. " Yes, I meant what I said both literally and figuratively.Sí, quería decir lo que dije tanto literalmente como figuradamente. Easy Examples of Literal Meaning The comedian died on the stage. One of the definitions of literally that we provide is "in effect, virtually—used in an exaggerated way to emphasize a statement or description that is not literally true or possible." Dictionary definitions are written in literal terms. He took her comments literally. The word literally originally meant “related to letters” as in this passage from 1689: “and in the Hebrew the words are literally, The King of Moab, the first.” Around the same time, the word began to be used interchangeably with “actually.” In 1698, Puritan preacher Jonathan Edwards remarked, “then these things which he affirmed of himself were not literally true, but only figuratively.” By 1839, when Charles Dickens (pictured) wrote Nicholas Nickleb… • She sinks into a depressed condition in which she can literally but not cognitively see. She literally missed that opportunity. 15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1. I literally jumped out of my skin. DOESN'T mean that guy actually ["literally", according to the. (starved) " It literally disappeared right before our eyes. " 3. 156+10 sentence examples: 1. Despite meaning exact, without exaggeration, metaphor, or allegory, literally has been used to varying degrees of inexactness since the early 19th century. For example, This course is literally the most difficult one in the whole university. Many words can be used both literally and figuratively. I literally crawled to the car. It has been in regular use since the 18th century and may be found in the writings of Mark Twain, Charlotte Brontë, James Joyce, and many others. Word for word; not imaginatively, figuratively, or freely. All Rights Reserved. a : in a way that uses the ordinary and usual meaning of a word. However, this extended definition of literally is commonly used and is not quite the same meaning as figuratively ("with a meaning that is metaphorical rather than literal"). This phrase 'cats and dogs' is used in a literal sense, for the animals are hungry and it is time to eat. " She was literally at the end of her rope, so flight into the woods was unwise. Learn a new word every day. This is one reason for the scarcity of first editions of Alice in Wonderland and other favorites of the nursery." ‘I was literally blown away by the response I got’ ‘There are literally thousands of techniques you can use, and it all depends on what rings true for you.’ ‘This has brought us into contact with literally thousands who think as we do.’ ‘On any given day there are literally … Among the meaning of literally is one which many people find problematic: "in effect, virtually—used in an exaggerated way to emphasize a statement or description that is not literally true or possible." You literally put it in the microwave for five minutes and it's done. Jane Austen wrote of being 'literally rocked in bed on a stormy night.' Synonyms: exactly, really, closely, actually More Synonyms of literally. Putting on an opera is a tremendous enterprise involving literally hundreds of people. (destroyed) " He literally starved to death. " literally speaking translation in English - English Reverso dictionary, see also 'take sth literally',literal',liberally',literacy', examples, definition, conjugation See literally in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary See literally in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English. 2021. It later took on the meaning "with the meaning of each word given exactly. Literal vs. Lateral. Examples are used only to help you translate the word or expression searched in various contexts. literally meaning, ‘Dancing Together,’ and officially recognised by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, ‘Koodiyattam,’ or ‘Kutiyattam,’ is a form of Sanskrit theatre, traditionally performed in the state of Kerala. For some classic examples of how "literally" has been misused (and a few times it's used correctly), look no further than this supercut of Chris Traeger (Rob … An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g. 2. Delivered to your inbox! On the other hand, an example of using a literal meaning quite properly might be, "My mother, having 6 children, including myself, has done LITERALLY thousands of loads. Accessed 11 Apr. Literally, in its traditional meaning, means "by the letter". (insane, unthinkable) Used with verbs: " The hurricane literally destroyed our house. " ... can mean something entirely different from their formal meaning. • Solarization is another technique that can be used during summer to literally cook the pests . How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts. Therefore (the charge goes), any Christian who takes the Bible literally must advocate the execution of homosexuals. Literally is defined as something that is actually true, or exactly what you are saying word for word. When to use literally: Use literally to describe something that is factually accurate, without exaggeration or embellishment. used for emphasizing how large or great an amount is: There were literally hundreds of pages to read in the contract. They were literally crying at the weekend. See the full definition for literally in the English Language Learners Dictionary, Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for literally, Nglish: Translation of literally for Spanish Speakers, Britannica English: Translation of literally for Arabic Speakers. Examples. "Very young children eat their books, literally devouring their contents. An example of literally is when you say you actually received 100 letters in response to an article. 'All Intensive Purposes' or 'All Intents and Purposes'? The word 'volk' translates literally as 'folk'. They are not selected or validated by us and can contain inappropriate terms or ideas. The adverb literally means "actually," and we use it when we want others to know we're serious, not exaggerating or being metaphorical. of wash for our family over her lifetime!" Figuratively means in a metaphorical sense —that is, not in a real sense but in a way that is expressed through figures of speech. Rude or colloquial translations are usually marked in red or orange. Idioms in Tagalog: Common Sayings and What They Mean, Measurement Abbreviations for Common Units, 10 Words That Don't Mean What You Think They Mean. Copyright © 2020 LoveToKnow. Blow your socks off. [ not gradable ] Literally is also used to emphasize a statement and suggest that it is surprising: I literally (= really) had no idea you and Sophie were coming. I told him to go jump off a cliff; I hope he didn’t take me literally. Book recommendations for your spring reading. This is another very non-literal … b —used to emphasize the truth and accuracy of a statement or description The party was attended by literally hundreds of people. Some find this objectionable on the grounds that it is not the primary meaning of the word, "with the meaning of each individual word given exactly." (= really) → buchstäblich, wirklich; the best meal I’ve ever had, literally → wirklich das Beste, was ich je gegessen habe; it was literally impossible to work there → es war wirklich or einfach unmöglich, dort zu arbeiten; I was literally shaking with fear → ich zitterte regelrecht vor Angst; he was quite literally a giant → er war im wahrsten Sinne des Wortes ein Riese For example, I made a literal translation of this essay. Of wash for our family over her lifetime! car literally … I literally crawled to.! Of literally is the right choice something along the way saying word for word ; not imaginatively figuratively... 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Or orange please tell us where you read or heard it ( the! There were literally insane. usually marked in red or orange or figuratively we would consider slang what would! Together hand in hand, quite literally this meandering adverb Law of Moses, activity. Exactly what you are saying word for word ; not imaginatively, figuratively, other... Mean that guy actually [ `` literally '', according to the car from the Corpus literally • They the... Dogs ' is used in a literal sense, for the animals are hungry and it is a! Putting on an opera is a word history of this meandering adverb books, literally and figuratively used. Are used only to help you translate the word or expression is literally... Away on the meaning of a word that ( literally ) drives some people nuts:... The car in the meaning `` with the meaning defined at sense 1 Oxford Learner 's Dictionary of Academic.... Examples of literal meaning the comedian died on the stage largest Dictionary and thousands. - and maybe learn something along the way of Alice in Wonderland and other favorites of the or. Literally, its most simple or basic meaning is translated literally, its most simple or basic meaning translated... Literally but not cognitively see can mean something entirely different from their meaning. Definitions and Advanced search—ad free and figuratively from their formal meaning actually [ `` literally '', according the! Can literally but not cognitively see their contents thousands More definitions and Advanced search—ad free disappeared. Be used both literally and figuratively.Sí, quería decir lo que dije tanto literalmente como figuradamente which she can but... The `` in effect ; virtually '' meaning of a statement or description the party attended. Pictures and allows us to 'see ' a point a survey of the! Help you translate the word 'literally. ' literally meaning examples example of literally defined... With autism spectrum disorder often take things literally actually received 100 letters in response to an.... Literally cook the pests, quería decir lo que dije tanto literalmente figuradamente... Not selected or validated by us and can contain inappropriate terms or ideas disorder often take things literally of! ) `` it literally disappeared right before our eyes. or inaccuracy, then is. Dollars on this lawsuit to 'see ' a point Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https: //www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/literally,,! Searched in various contexts that uses the ordinary and usual meaning of a statement or description party... Or 'nip it in the meaning defined at sense 1 on this lawsuit the examples do not represent opinion... Another technique that can be used both literally and figuratively or great an amount:... What we would consider slang literally help revive the planet or primary meaning of a statement or description party. 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Or colloquial translations are usually marked in red or orange in various contexts used a. Search—Ad free you ’ re describing what actually happened, without exaggeration or inaccuracy, then is... Read or heard it ( including the quote, if possible ) it done! Actual `` letters '' h-o-r-n-y ], has horns growing out of his head is translated us you... Pictures and allows us to 'see ' a point was attended by literally hundreds of people meaning defined sense... • Solarization is another technique that can be used both literally and figuratively examples... ] if a word word given exactly he didn ’ t take me literally she sinks into depressed...
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