literally

American  

[lit-er-uh-lee] / ˈlɪt ər ə li /

adverb

1. in the literal or strict sense.

   She failed to grasp the metaphor and interpreted the poem literally.

   What does the word mean literally?

2. in a literal manner; word for word.

   to translate literally.

3. actually; without exaggeration or inaccuracy.

   The city was literally destroyed.

4. in effect; in substance; very nearly; virtually.

   I literally died when she walked out on stage in that costume.

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literally British  

/ ˈlɪtərəlɪ /

adverb

1. in a literal manner

2. (intensifier)

   there were literally thousands of people

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Usage

Since the early 19th century, literally has been widely used as an intensifier meaning “in effect, virtually,” a sense that contradicts the earlier meaning “actually, without exaggeration”: The senator was literally buried alive in the Iowa primaries. The parties were literally trading horses in an effort to reach a compromise. The use is often criticized; nevertheless, it appears in all but the most carefully edited writing. Although this use of literally irritates some, it probably neither distorts nor enhances the intended meaning of the sentences in which it occurs. The same might often be said of the use of literally in its earlier sense “actually”: The garrison was literally wiped out: no one survived.

The use of literally as an intensifier is common, esp in informal contexts. In some cases, it provides emphasis without adding to the meaning: the house was literally only five minutes walk away. Often, however, its use results in absurdity: the news was literally an eye-opener to me. It is therefore best avoided in formal contexts

Etymology

Origin of literally

First recorded in 1525–35; literal + -ly

Explanation

The adverb literally means "actually," and we use it when we want others to know we're serious, not exaggerating or being metaphorical. If your mom complains that your room is overflowing with clothes, she probably doesn't mean this literally. Your room might be messy and chaotic, but your clothes aren't actually piled so high that they're flowing into the hallway. Your mom is being figurative — she's exaggerating. Now, if your clothes really were piled up so high that they were flowing into the hallway, your mom would say, "Your room is literally overflowing with clothes!"

Example Sentences

Rather than putting out a dry statement promising to cooperate with the authorities, five employees crafted a jokey response saying the robbers had taken KitKat’s “have a break” slogan a little too literally.

From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026

"And the poem just came out. It literally wrote itself," she said.

From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026

In the philosophy of physics, particularly in a view known as eternalism, the word “timeless” is used literally.

From Science Daily • Jun. 8, 2026

If viewers think they can no longer trust CBS News, they can read, watch or listen to literally thousands of other TV shows, podcasts, newspapers, social-media influencers and more.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026

A monkey literally went out of its way to break into Autumn’s basement and steal Grandma’s dashiki—another L, packaged and hand-delivered straight to me with same-day shipping.

From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer

Related Words

• actually
• completely
• directly
• plainly
• precisely
• really
• simply
• truly