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.

“It is late for the literal, no?” he protests when the narrator presses him on biographical specifics.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

The second season of “Paradise” ended with a literal bang.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

The only way to make things right is to return to the literal scene of the crime, where Kenna hopes to confront the ghosts of her past to build a future alongside her daughter.

From Salon • Mar. 19, 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

Down here, in the temple’s literal bowels, there was no faint smell of ink and parchment, only the clashing smells of old wood, sweet hay, and mucked dung.

From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray

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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