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English Dictionary

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 literal literal /ˈlɪtɝəl/

adjective

  1. () Being or reflecting the essential or genuine character of something  ( real , genuine , actual , literal )
    being or reflecting the essential or genuine character of something
     Her actual motive
    her actual motive
     A literal solitude like a desert
    a literal solitude like a desert
     A genuine dilemma
    a genuine dilemma
  2. () Without interpretation or embellishment  ( literal )
    without interpretation or embellishment
     A literal depiction of the scene before him
    a literal depiction of the scene before him
  3. Limited to the explicit meaning of a word or text  ( literal )
    limited to the explicit meaning of a word or text
     A literal translation
    a literal translation
  4. Avoiding embellishment or exaggeration (used for emphasis)  ( literal )
    avoiding embellishment or exaggeration (used for emphasis)
     It's the literal truth
    it's the literal truth

noun

  1. A mistake in printed matter resulting from mechanical failures of some kind  ( erratum , literal , literal error , misprint , typo , typographical error )
    a mistake in printed matter resulting from mechanical failures of some kind