Literally

Definition

In a literal manner or sense; exactly.

Parts of Speech

• Adverb

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈlɪtərəli/
• Respelling: LIT-er-uh-lee (with "LIT" as in "sit," "er" as in "her," "uh" as in "sofa," and "lee" as in "see")

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈlɪtərəli/ or /ˈlɪtrəli/
• Respelling: LIT-uh-ruh-lee (with "LIT" as in "sit," "uh" as in "sofa," "ruh" as in "sofa," and "lee" as in "see") or LIT-ruh-lee (with "LIT" as in "sit," "ruh" as in "sofa," and "lee" as in "see")

In both dialects, "literally" places the primary stress on the first syllable, "LIT." The American pronunciation includes the "er" sound, whereas the British pronunciation can either include the "er" sound or omit it, leading to a more streamlined "LIT-ruh-lee" pronunciation.

Etymology

From Latin "litteralis", meaning "relating to letters or literature". Over time, the term evolved to mean "taking words in their original meaning" or "true to fact", emphasizing a strict adherence to a word or statement's exact definition or reality.

Derivatives

• Literal
• Literature
• Literate
• Literalism
• Literalize

Synonyms

• Exactly
• Precisely
• Verbatim

Antonyms

• Figuratively
• Metaphorically
• Symbolically

Usage

The term "literally" is often used to emphasize that something is true to the exact meaning of the words, without exaggeration or metaphor. However, in casual speech, it is sometimes used for emphasis in statements that are not meant to be taken literally, leading to debates about its proper use.

Related Terms

• Literal: Taking words in their usual or most basic sense without metaphor or allegory.
• Figurative: Departing from a literal use of words; metaphorical.
• Verbatim: In exactly the same words as were used originally.

Detailed Definition

Adverb

• Literally (Adverb): In a literal manner; exactly.
  • Example: "He literally ran five miles every day."

• Literally (Adverb): Used for emphasis or to express strong feeling while not being literally true.
  • Example: "I was literally dying of laughter."