literally

[lit-er-uh-lee]

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.

literally

/ ˈlɪtərəlɪ /

adverb

1. in a literal manner

2. (intensifier)

   there were literally thousands of people

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of literally¹

First recorded in 1525–35; literal + -ly

Example Sentences

“The DOJ’s request is almost literally without precedent. No state judge in California history has ever placed a correctional institution into receivership.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“We are moving literally at the speed of light. Our one-year cadence is about us leapfrogging ourselves,” he said, noting Nvidia’s next AI server called Vera Rubin is slated for next year.

Read more on Barron's

It can even be “quite literally an edge,” as when a man stands on the edge of an active volcano.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The secretly shared videotape was so satisfying that people literally died watching it, so frozen in their bliss that they forgot about their own human needs.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“Artificial intelligence is going to replace literally half of all white-collar workers in the U.S.,”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• actually 
• completely 
• directly 
• plainly www.thesaurus.com
• precisely 
• really 
• simply 
• truly