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Antonyms for literal

Grammar : Adj
Spell : lit-er-uhl
Phonetic Transcription : ˈlɪt ər əl

Definition of literal

Origin :
  • late 14c., "taking words in their natural meaning" (originally in reference to Scripture and opposed to mystical or allegorical), from Old French literal and directly from Late Latin literalis/litteralis "of or belonging to letters or writing," from Latin litera/littera "letter, alphabetic sign; literature, books" (see letter (n.1)). Meaning "of or pertaining to alphabetic letters" is from late 15c. Sense of "verbally exact" is attested from 1590s, as is application to the primary sense of a word or passage. Literal-minded is attested from 1791.
  • adj word for word; exact, real
Example sentences :
  • No one will claim that it is used in its literal sense of "seed," in the text.
  • Extract from : « Life: Its True Genesis » by R. W. Wright
  • This lyrical vision restores it, whole, complete, and literal.
  • Extract from : « Shelley, Godwin and Their Circle » by H. N. Brailsford
  • This literal quotation from the frank Mr. Calvin caused a sensation.
  • Extract from : « Cap'n Dan's Daughter » by Joseph C. Lincoln
  • His statement concerning Mrs. Black was not the literal truth.
  • Extract from : « Cap'n Dan's Daughter » by Joseph C. Lincoln
  • And this remark, intended to be facetious, was after all pretty close to the literal truth.
  • Extract from : « Shavings » by Joseph C. Lincoln
  • Milton is too literary, and Homer too literal and historical.
  • Extract from : « Essays, Second Series » by Ralph Waldo Emerson
  • "She never will be tall, I'm afraid," said the literal mother.
  • Extract from : « The Market-Place » by Harold Frederic
  • "North-east," grunted the literal MacWhirr, from his side of the bridge.
  • Extract from : « Typhoon » by Joseph Conrad
  • "Make me a literal translation of that letter," said Sedley.
  • Extract from : « The Bramleighs Of Bishop's Folly » by Charles James Lever
  • This statement is not to be accepted as a satiric fable, but as a literal fact.
  • Extract from : « Recollections » by David Christie Murray

Synonyms for literal

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019