Literal for Dummies
adjective
pronunciation: 'lɪtərəlWhat does Literal really mean?
Hey there! Let's talk about the word "literal." It might sound a little tricky at first, but don't worry, I'll make sure you understand it! So, imagine you're reading a story, and the author uses a word or phrase that means exactly what it says, without any hidden meaning or exaggeration. That's when we say it's being used in a literal sense.
For example, if someone says, "I'm so hungry, I could eat a horse!" they are not actually going to eat a horse. That's just an expression to show how hungry they are. But if someone says, "I'm going to eat an apple," and they really do eat an apple, then they are using the word "eat" in a literal sense.
Now, "literal" can have different meanings depending on the context. It can also mean sticking to the exact words or language that is written or spoken, without adding or changing anything. It's like following a recipe step-by-step, without any improvisation.
Let's say your teacher asks you to write a summary of a story. To do it in a literal sense, you would need to use the same words and sentences as the original story, without paraphrasing or adding your own ideas. This way, you capture the exact meaning the author intended.
But wait, there's more! "Literal" can also mean something that is true in a very obvious and straightforward way. It's like when the answer to a math problem is right in front of you, and you can solve it without any complicated steps.
For instance, if your friend asks you, "What color is the sky?" and you answer, "Blue," you are giving a literal response because the sky is usually blue (unless it's a cloudy day!). You don't need to think deeply or search for any hidden meanings, because the answer is plain and clear.
So, to sum it all up, "literal" means something that is exact, straight to the point, and true without any fancy interpretations. It's like being a detective who follows all the clues closely without making any assumptions or reading between the lines. Understanding the literal meaning of words and expressions helps us communicate effectively and avoid misunderstandings. Pretty cool, don't you think?
If you have any more questions or need further clarification, feel free to ask. I'm here to help you!
Revised and Fact checked by Michael Miller on 2023-10-29 02:09:19
Literal In a sentece
Learn how to use Literal inside a sentece
- When someone says 'I'm starving!' but they are not actually hungry, it's a figurative expression. But when someone says 'I am literally starving' and they haven't eaten for days, it means they are truly hungry.
- If I say 'I have a million things to do', it's not true, because it's just an exaggeration. However, if I say 'I have literally a million dollars in my bank account', it means I actually have one million dollars.
- If a sign says 'No dogs allowed' and you see a person walking their dog inside, they are not following the literal meaning of the sign.
- When a weather report says 'It's raining cats and dogs', it doesn't mean that animals are falling from the sky. It's a figurative expression. But if you look outside the window and see actual cats and dogs falling from the sky, it would be a literal raining of cats and dogs.
- If someone tells you 'You are a literal angel', they are saying that you are extremely kind and helpful, not that you actually have wings and can fly.
Literal Synonyms
Words that can be interchanged for the original word in the same context.
Literal Antonyms
Words that have the opposite context of the original word.
Literal Hypernyms
Words that are more generic than the original word.
Literal Similar Words
Words that similar to the original word, but are not synonyms.