How do you pronounce literal?

The recorded pronunciation is /ˈlɪt(ə)ɹəl/.

Where does literal come from?

It is traced to Middle English.

literal

/ˈlɪt(ə)ɹəl/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 3.77 in modern English

Syllables: lit-er-al
IPA: /ˈlɪt(ə)ɹəl/

Scrabble Score

Letters

Syllables

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Exactly as stated; read or understood without interpretation; according to the letter; not figurative or metaphorical; following the letter or exact words; not taking liberties; etymonic rather than idiomatic.

adj

Actual, real, physical.

adj

That which generally assumes that the plainest reading of a given text is correct but which allows for metaphor where context indicates it.

adj

Following the historical-grammatical method of biblical interpretation.

adj

Consisting of, or expressed by, letters (of an alphabet); using literation.

adj

Unimaginative; matter-of-fact; literal-minded.

adj

Used nonliterally as an intensifier. See literally for usage notes.

adj

Misspelling of littoral.

Example Sentences

"The literal translation of Spanish irse al otro barrio is "to go to the other neighbourhood" but it means "to die"."
"A literal reading of the law would prohibit it, but that is clearly not the intent."
"a middle course between the rigour of literal translations and the liberty of paraphrasts"
"Within the constraints set by the original texts and by the mandates of the Division, the Committee has followed the maxim, 'As literal as possible, as free as necessary.' As a consequence, the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) remains essentially a literal translation."
"Mechanically, operating this hybrid vehicle is sort of a cross between driving a car and taming an animal, which means the movie treats the audience to the sight of a man (pretending to be a teenager) driving a literal monster truck in a field next to a woman (also pretending to be a teenager) riding a horse."
"It is most important to distinguish literalistic from literal interpretation. [...] ‘Literalistic’ interpretation is like word-for-word translation that yields the verbally exact or ‘formally equivalent’ versions but also runs the risk of overlooking the main (illocutionary) point. Literal interpretation, on the other hand, is more like a translation that strives for dynamic equivalence and yields the literary sense."

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂leyH-der. Old Latin leitera Latin līterader.? Proto-Hellenic *dipʰtʰérā? Ancient Greek διφθέρᾱ (diphthérā)bor. Etruscan [Term?]bor.? Latin littera Proto-Indo-European *h₂el- Proto-Indo-European *-is Proto-Indo-European *h₂élisder.? Proto-Italic *-ālis Latin -ālis Late Latin litterālisbor. Old French literalbor. Middle English literal English literal From Middle English literal, from Old French literal, from Late Latin litteralis or literalis (“of or pertaining to letters or to writing”), from Latin littera or litera (“a letter”). See letter.

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Root: literal, litteralis, littera

Inflected Forms

more literal (comparative) most literal (superlative) lit. (alternative, abbreviation) litteral (alternative, obsolete) literals (plural)

Derived Forms

antiliteral biliteral duoliteral hexaliteral hyperliteralism illiteral literalism literalist literalistic literality literalization literalize

Phrases

literal equation literal-minded literal rule literal theonymy prime formula

Frequently Paired Words

letter literacy literary literate literature constant prime formula

Synonyms

verbatim word-for-word typo literal constant actual genuine real misprint erratum typographical error literal error

Homonyms

littoral

Antonyms

figurative free metaphorical nonliteral illiteral

Rhymes With

littoral litteral