literal-minded

[ lit-er-uhl-mahyn-did ]

/ ˈlɪt ər əlˌmaɪn dɪd /

Save This Word!

adjective

unimaginative; prosaic; matter-of-fact.

QUIZ

ARE YOU A TRUE BLUE CHAMPION OF THESE "BLUE" SYNONYMS?

We could talk until we're blue in the face about this quiz on words for the color "blue," but we think you should take the quiz and find out if you're a whiz at these colorful terms.

Question 1 of 8

Which of the following words describes “sky blue”?

navy

beryl

azure

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Meet Grammar Coach

Write or paste your essay, email, or story into Grammar Coach and get grammar help

Improve Your Writing

Meet Grammar CoachImprove Your Writing

Origin of literal-minded

First recorded in 1865–70

Words nearby literal-minded

literal, literalism, literality, literalize, literally, literal-minded, literary, literary agent, literary executor, literate, literati

How to use literal-minded in a sentence

I never hear a Democrat talk about these goods, which are, in the literal sense, indivisible—for us all.
The Democrats’ Black Hole—and What They Can Do About It|Michael Tomasky|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The world is changing, and men really could use a movement—just not the misogynistic, conspiracy-minded one they have now.
Men Need A Better Men’s Rights Movement|Nancy Kaffer|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But all fair-minded Americans should get behind this push for real equality and protections in the lives of all Americans.
State of LGBT Rights: Married on Sunday, but Fired on Monday|Gene Robinson|December 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
We can always use people who are community-minded [like him].
LAPD Foundation: Mark Wahlberg Would Make a Good Reserve Cop|Asawin Suebsaeng|December 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST

There were likewise people who could have mobilized actors, students, reform-minded Communists and even trade unionists.
How Havel Inspired the Velvet Revolution|Michael Zantovsky|December 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Sometimes it comes in literal sobriety, sometimes in derisive travesti, sometimes in tragic aggravation.
Checkmate|Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu
They will reach you by the hands of Mr. Mackenzie, a worldly-minded Scotch merchant, but honest as to earthly things.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
You may imagine the effect this missive produced upon the proud, high-minded doctor of divinity.
Elster's Folly|Mrs. Henry Wood
In a literal sense, too,” added Tom Brown, “for it will be sold as waste-paper and be made up into matches.
Hunting the Lions|R.M. Ballantyne
He was an outlaw, hunted and despised, depending for his life on the caprice of a fickle-minded woman.
The Red Year|Louis Tracy