B2adjectivelanguage
US/ˈlɪt.ər.əl/
UK/ˈlɪt.ər.əl/
using the basic, original meaning of a word, not an imaginative one; also exact, word for word
In context
In a literal sense, 'heartbroken' would mean your heart has actually broken.
A literal translation often sounds strange to native speakers.
He has a very literal mind and rarely understands sarcasm.
Words that go with literal
adjective + noun
- literal meaningThe literal meaning of 'Hà Nội' is 'inside the rivers'.
- literal translationA literal translation of this idiom makes no sense in English.
- literal senseHe wasn't flying in the literal sense; he was just very happy.
- literal interpretationA literal interpretation of the rule would ban all phones at school.
- literal truthIt sounds like a joke, but it's the literal truth.
adverb + adjective
- too literalYour translation is too literal; try to make it sound natural.