literally

Q: Can 'literally' mean figuratively?

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." Some find this objectionable on the grounds that it is not the primary meaning of the word, which we define as "in a way that uses the ordinary or primary meaning of a term or expression." However, this extended definition of literally is commonly used, and its meaning is not quite identical to that of figuratively ("with a meaning that is metaphorical rather than literal").

Q: Is the extended use of 'literally' new?

The "in effect; virtually" meaning of literally is not new. It has been in regular use since the 18th century and may be found in the writings of some of the most highly regarded writers of the 19th and early 20th centuries, including Charles Dickens, Mark Twain, Charlotte Brontë, and James Joyce.

Q: Is the extended use of 'literally' slang?

The disfavored use of literally to mean "in effect; virtually" does not qualify as slang, which is markedly informal and used especially by a particular group of people and often not well understood by those outside that group.

adverb

lit·er·al·ly ˈli-tə-rə-lē

ˈli-trə-lē,

ˈli-tər-lē

Synonyms of literally next

: in a literal sense or manner: such as

: in a way that uses the ordinary or primary meaning of a term or expression

He took the remark literally.

a word that can be used both literally and figuratively

—used to emphasize the truth and accuracy of a statement or description

The party was attended by literally hundreds of people.

: with exact equivalence : with the meaning of each individual word given exactly

The term "Mardi Gras" literally means "Fat Tuesday" in French.

: in a completely accurate way

a story that is basically true even if not literally true

: in effect : virtually

—used in an exaggerated way to emphasize a statement or description that is not literally true or possible

will literally turn the world upside down to combat cruelty or injustice—

Norman Cousins

Should literally be used for emphasis?: Usage Guide

Sense 2 is common and not at all new but has been frequently criticized as an illogical misuse. It is pure hyperbole intended to gain emphasis, but it often appears in contexts where no additional emphasis is necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can literally mean figuratively?

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." Some find this objectionable on the grounds that it is not the primary meaning of the word, which we define as "in a way that uses the ordinary or primary meaning of a term or expression." However, this extended definition of literally is commonly used, and its meaning is not quite identical to that of figuratively ("with a meaning that is metaphorical rather than literal").

Is the extended use of literally new?

The "in effect; virtually" meaning of literally is not new. It has been in regular use since the 18th century and may be found in the writings of some of the most highly regarded writers of the 19th and early 20th centuries, including Charles Dickens, Mark Twain, Charlotte Brontë, and James Joyce.

Is the extended use of literally slang?

The disfavored use of literally to mean "in effect; virtually" does not qualify as slang, which is markedly informal and used especially by a particular group of people and often not well understood by those outside that group.

Examples of literally in a Sentence

… make the whole scene literally glow with the fires of his imagination. —

Alfred Kazin, Harper's, December 1968

Even Muff did not miss our periods of companionship, because about that time she grew up and started having literally millions of kittens. —

Jean Stafford, Bad Characters, 1954

Lily, the caretaker's daughter, was literally run off her feet. Hardly had she brought one gentleman into the little pantry … than the wheezy hall-door bell clanged again and she had to scamper along the bare hallway to let in another guest. —

James Joyce, Dubliners, 1914

… yet the wretch, absorbed in his victuals, and naturally of an unutterable dullness, did not make a single remark during dinner, whereas I literally blazed with wit. —

William Makepeace Thackeray, Punch, 30 Oct. 1847

Many words can be used both literally and figuratively. He took her comments literally. He's a sailor who knows his ropes, literally and figuratively. The term “Mardi Gras” literally means “Fat Tuesday” in French. The story he told was basically true, even if it wasn't literally true. See More

Recent Examples on the Web But perhaps Amy’s most endearing trait in The Family Stone is her propensity to enter her parents’ house with a mountain of laundry—which my closest aunt and I literally still do to this day, despite being in our 30s and 50s, respectively. —

Emma Specter, Vogue, 23 Dec. 2023 But the biggest draws here is the Alpine Spa, literally. —

Carole Sovocool, Robb Report, 22 Dec. 2023 This path starts with a change of consummation and scenery, literally and figuratively. —

Chántelle Adanna, Essence, 22 Dec. 2023 The timing of this bit is funny because THR literally just wrote an article about musical marketing and how studios are hesitant to market their musicals as such. —

Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Dec. 2023 When Bellisario, Rafferty and their former Suits costar Patrick J. Adams took part in an October game of Jenga benefiting War Child (for which all three actors are ambassadors), the friendship between the two women quite literally reached new heights. —

Breanne L. Heldman, Peoplemag, 22 Dec. 2023 Set in Barcelona during the pandemic lockdown, a serial killer has been targeting those who literally have no refuge, the homeless. —

Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 21 Dec. 2023 Now, however, the Salmon is quite literally rusting. —

Alec Luhn, Scientific American, 19 Dec. 2023 As fate would have it, that one-track mind-set has produced enormous dividends — literally and figuratively. —

Robert Goulder, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'literally.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.