Definitions

literal

[lit-er-uhl] / ˈlɪt ər əl /

ADJECTIVE

word for word; exact, real

Synonyms

STRONGEST

accurate actual authentic true unvarnished

STRONG

close faithful gospel natural ordinary plain simple

WEAK

apparent bona fide critical genuine methodical not figurative scrupulous strict to the letter undeviating unerring unexaggerated usual veracious verbal verbatim veritable written

Antonyms

STRONGEST

counterfeit dishonest false falsified unreal

STRONG

abnormal complex complicated decorated different difficult embellished extraordinary inaccurate intricate ornate unclear uncommon

WEAK

exaggerated figurative imaginative loose

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Then there were the toilets: Literal, singing ones for hydration brand Liquid IV’s Super Bowl debut, urging viewers to check what color their urine was.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 9, 2026

And so I think that what happens with cinema is that there’s so many cooks in the kitchen that everything becomes very Land of the Literal.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 13, 2025

Literal copying is the easiest form of infringement to punish.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 29, 2023

Literal participation trophies or medals are indeed dumb.

From Slate • Apr. 10, 2019

The cast had rotated a bit down there in the Literal Heart of Jesus.

From "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green

Vocabulary lists containing literal

Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List

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AP English Lit exam terms

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Vocabulary to Describe Literary Devices

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