B2adverblanguage
US/ˈlɪt.ər.əl.i/
UK/ˈlɪt.ər.əl.i/
in the real, basic meaning of a word; in speech, also used to make something sound stronger
In context
The name of the dish literally means 'broken rice'.
Don't translate idioms literally, or they will make no sense.
I literally ran all the way to the station and still missed the train.
Words that go with literally
verb + adverb
- translate literallyIf you translate literally, the joke disappears.
- take literallyMy son tends to take jokes literally and gets upset.
adverb + verb
- literally means'Breakfast' literally means breaking a fast.
- quite literallyThe ancient tree is quite literally older than the city.
adverb + adjective
- literally trueThe story sounds made up, but it is literally true.