literal

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.

“I thought this was my stay-at-home-mom era, until I found out about this data center in my literal backyard,” said Sharp.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

Like many autistic people, Haight’s mind interprets language in its most literal sense.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

It’s weird to be alive at a time when much of contemporary warfare comprises literal laser beams, flying robots and dungeons full of nerds at computer terminals, but that’s really what’s happening.

From Salon • Mar. 25, 2026

There will also be a rather literal interpretation of comedy series Amandaland that enlists a string of famous Amandas, and a performance from singer-songwriter Calum Scott.

From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026

There, at the climax of every show, he sits down in a comfortable chair to think — a chair known, of course, in the literal world of Blue’s Clues, as the Thinking Chair.

From "The Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell