Asked by: Dr. Hortense Kulas
Score: 4.1/5
(44 votes)
The adverb literally means «actually,» and we use it when we want others to know we’re serious, not exaggerating or being metaphorical.
How do you use the word literally in a sentence?
Literally sentence example
- By blow up, do you mean literally or figuratively? …
- She’d never thought he meant she’d literally help revive the planet. …
- She was literally at the end of her rope, so flight into the woods was unwise. …
- A mouse she could handle – literally , but a snake was something different.
Does literally mean exactly?
Literally is defined as something that is actually true, or exactly what you are saying word for word. An example of literally is when you say you actually received 100 letters in response to an article. adverb.
Is it OK to say literally?
Since some people take sense 2 to be the opposite of sense 1, it has been frequently criticized as a misuse. Instead, the use is pure hyperbole intended to gain emphasis, but it often appears in contexts where no additional emphasis is necessary. If this sense of literally is bothersome, you needn’t use it.
What can I say instead of literally?
synonyms for literally
- actually.
- completely.
- directly.
- plainly.
- precisely.
- really.
- simply.
- truly.
37 related questions found
What is the difference between literally and actually?
As adverbs the difference between literally and actually
is that literally is (speech act) word for word; not figuratively; not as an idiom or metaphor while actually is (modal) in act or in fact; really; in truth; positively.
What is the new definition of literally?
Gizmodo has discovered Google’s definition for literally includes this: “Used to acknowledge that something is not literally true but is used for emphasis or to express strong feeling.” But it doesn’t end with Google. Merriam-Wesbter and Cambridge dictionaries have also added the informal, non-literal definition.
What does literally crying mean?
When I say, «I’m literally crying,» I mean that there are legit tears on my face.
Is literally a formal word?
So that people avoid becoming the butt of jokes, Collins English Dictionary advises against using literally as an intensifier in formal or written contexts. «Literally is one of those language bugbears, so we print a special note in the dictionary to advise on the problem,» says Brookes.
What’s the difference between literally and figuratively?
What does literally mean? Although figuratively has room for interpretation or exaggeration, literally is exact and concrete in its meaning.
What is it called when you don’t mean something literally?
When you say something facetiously, you don’t really mean it — you’re joking. You might walk into your brother’s room and facetiously say, «Wow, it’s really clean in here.»
Why do we say literally so much?
“literally” is overused, quite often, seemingly without understanding its meaning. “literally” means “(exactly) as written,” i.e. not metaphorically. Because they do not understand the meaning of the word. People will say, “He was literally jumping out of his skin.”.
Is literally a colloquialism?
Colloquialism comes from the Latin word colloquium meaning «conference, conversation,» or literally «a speaking together.» When you talk, colloquialisms are so common, you might not be aware you are using them — that is, until one comes up that is unfamiliar to someone in the group.
Can you use literally in an essay?
So, generally speaking you do not use generic intensifiers (like literally, really, very, truly, I swear on my mother’s grave, etc.) in any formal writing. In regular speech all these uses are common and are a standard part of the language that any native speaker of English will understand without any problem.
How do you respond to I’m crying?
Instead of telling someone to stop crying, here are eight things to say instead, no matter how empathic you are:
- 1) “Talk to me about it.” …
- 2) “It’s okay to be sad.” …
- 3) “I’m here with you.” …
- 4) “I’m here to listen.” …
- 5) “Let’s solve this together.” …
- 6) “Call me when you want to talk.” …
- 7) “The same thing has happened to me.”
What does crying my eyes out mean?
phrase. If you cry your eyes out, you cry very hard. [informal] He didn’t mean to be cruel but I cried my eyes out.
Is Crying an emotion?
Crying is a normal human response to a whole range of emotions that has a number of health and social benefits, including pain relief and self-soothing effects. However, if crying happens frequently, uncontrollably, or for no reason, it could be a sign of depression.
How is literally used wrong?
«Literally» is just doing the same work as «really» or «honestly» or «actually», emphasising the truth of the statement, not its non-metaphorical nature. So we’re wrong to criticise Jamie Redknapp for saying «literally».
Can I use literally and figuratively in a sentence?
Figuratively means metaphorically, and literally describes something that actually happened. If you say that a guitar solo literally blew your head off, your head should not be attached to your body. They’re really, actually there. Ew, but true.
What is the difference between literally and virtually?
As adverbs the difference between virtually and literally
is that virtually is almost but not quite while literally is (speech act) word for word; not figuratively; not as an idiom or metaphor.
What does a literal heart mean?
literal. meaning) The muscular organ in the chest that pumps blood. throughout the body.
What happened to the word literally?
Literally the most misused word in the language has officially changed definition. Now as well as meaning «in a literal manner or sense; exactly: ‘the driver took it literally when asked to go straight over the traffic circle‘», various dictionaries have added its other more recent usage.
When should the word literally be used?
Correctly, “literally” should be used when a turn of phrase usually employed in a metaphorical sense enjoys a rare moment of non-metaphorical applicability: the phrase becomes true in a literal, words-meaning-exactly-what-they-say sense.
When you mean the opposite of what you say?
Irony is «the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning.» Inside jokes told subtly, so that outsiders don’t even know they are told, creates irony.
Look up literally in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
Literally is an English adverb. It has been controversially used as an intensifier for figurative statements.
HistoryEdit
The first known use of the word literally was in the 15th century,[1] or the 1530s,[2] when it was used in the sense of «in a literal sense or manner».[1]
The use of the word as an intensifier for figurative statements emerged later, in 1769,[3][4] when Frances Brooke wrote the following sentence:[3]
He is a fortunate man to be introduced to such a party of fine women at his arrival; it is literally to feed among the lilies.
ControversyEdit
The use of literally as an intensifier for figurative statements has been controversial since the early 20th century, when objections first started being raised. In 1909, the following entry was included in a blacklist of literary faults:[5]
Literally for Figuratively. «The stream was literally alive with fish.» «His eloquence literally swept the audience from its feet.» It is bad enough to exaggerate, but to affirm the truth of the exaggeration is intolerable.
— Ambrose Bierce, Write it Right: A Little Blacklist of Literary Faults[6]
Opponents state that this usage is contrary to its original meaning,[7] that it is nonsensical for a word to mean two opposite things,[7] that the use of the word literally as an intensifier can be substituted by other words («‘absolutely», «definitely», «unquestionably»[8]) and that it makes the speaker look ridiculous.[8] Paul Brians stated in Common Errors in English Usage: «Don’t say of someone that he ‘literally blew up’ unless he swallows a stick of dynamite.»[8]
Proponents state that this usage has been well-attested since the 18th century.[7] The authors of the Merriam Webster dictionary write: «The use of literally in a fashion that is hyperbolic or metaphoric is not new—evidence of this use dates back to 1769″ and «the fact that so many people are writing angry letters serves as a sort of secondhand evidence, as they would hardly be complaining about this usage if it had not become common.»[9] In regards to the objection that literally has two opposite meanings, proponents state that many words are used in seemingly contradictory ways (see Auto-antonym#Examples).[5]
In popular cultureEdit
In 2014, CollegeHumor made a skit titled «The Boy Who Cried Literally», which parodies overuse of the word.[10]
ReferencesEdit
- ^ a b «Definition of LITERALLY». www.merriam-webster.com. Retrieved 2023-01-28.
- ^ «literally | Etymology, origin and meaning of literally by etymonline». www.etymonline.com. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
- ^ a b «The Literal Truth About The Word «Literally»«. Culture. 2013-08-18. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
- ^ «Did We Change the Definition of ‘Literally’?». www.merriam-webster.com. Retrieved 2023-01-28.
- ^ a b Curtis, Polly (2012-03-12). «Literally, the wrong use of the word». the Guardian. Retrieved 2023-01-28.
- ^ Bierce, Ambrose. «Write It Right: A Little Blacklist of Literary Faults». gutenberg.org. Retrieved 2023-01-28.
- ^ a b c «Did We Change the Definition of ‘Literally’?». www.merriam-webster.com. Retrieved 2023-01-28.
- ^ a b c «Literally the most misused word». www.boston.com. Retrieved 2023-01-28.
- ^ «Did We Change the Definition of ‘Literally’?». www.merriam-webster.com. Retrieved 2023-01-28.
- ^ צוק, נמרוד (2014-09-02). «כך תישמעו חכמים בלי ללמוד כלום». כלכליסט — www.calcalist.co.il. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
The English language is full of idiomatic phrases and figurative expressions that sometimes take on new life in casual conversation. One of those expressions that often irks grammarians is the use (or misuse) of literally and figuratively. Have you noticed the overuse of literally in everyday speech? Today let’s look at these two terms and how to use them to our advantage as writers.
Let me give you a perfect example of someone overusing and misusing the word literally for comedic effect. If you’ve ever watched the show Parks and Recreation, you’ve probably noticed that Rob Lowe plays a character whose favorite word is “literally,” and he wildly misuses it on a regular basis.
Lowe’s character overuses it as a character flaw, and it makes the audience laugh (or cringe). Literally is sprinkled all too liberally in modern conversations, and for some of us grammar purists, it drives us nuts.
Definitions: Literally and Figuratively
Let’s look at why the overuse of literally bothers some people, beginning with some basic definitions.
Literally: using a word or phrase in a straightforward, strict sense of the literal meaning. The exact sense of a word.
Example: When something is literally occurring, that means that it happening exactly as described. Someone who is literally passing out from excitement has their eyes rolling back in their head, collapsing to the ground as we speak. They may need medical attention.
Figuratively: using a word in its metaphorical sense to capture a more vivid description of an object or idea. This is also known as a figurative meaning.
Example: Figurative language is often used to express ideas and concepts that may not be easily conveyed in the literal sense. Think of the phrase “I’m dying of embarrassment,” for example. Obviously, you are not actually passing away (if you are, please call 911). You are using hyperbolic language to express the depth of your embarrassment.
Why Does It Matter?
It’s not that literal and figurative language is wrong or right—we use words in their figurative sense all the time to express a range of human experience.
The problem comes in when we pair figurative language WITH the word literally.
Example: I am literally on pins and needles in excitement for this Taylor Swift concert to start!
Someone who is figuratively on pins and needles with anticipation is really looking forward to something. Someone who is literally on pins and needles is currently experiencing small puncture wounds on their body. See the problem?
When we overuse the word literally, we are making statements that are not actually true. For example, if someone said “I’m literally dying of laughter,” they’re implying that they are in the process of passing away from laughter, which is obviously not true.
No, you are not literally going to explode from excitement at finally seeing Taylor Swift live (even if it feels that way). You are figuratively exploding.
Unless you spontaneously combust when Taylor Swift takes the stage, literally is not accurate. Just use the phrase, “I’m about the explode from excitement!” figuratively and leave off the word literally.
Can You Ever Use Literally, Figuratively?
Now, don’t shoot the messenger, but there’s also another way dictionaries record common usage of the word literally. You don’t have to like it, but we would be remiss not to mention it.
You may have read one of several articles like the one here on Merriam-Webster that points our how literally has been used as an intensive (meaning it’s used for additional emphasis) with figurative language for hundreds of years, and by writers as admired as Charles Dickens and F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Uh oh.
I can already feel the blood-pressure rising in some of our more traditional grammar readers. (Figuratively? Perhaps literally, too.)
It’s true. Even the Oxford English Dictionary has a definition listed this way:
literally, adv. 1c. colloq. Used to indicate that some (freq. conventional) metaphorical or hyperbolical expression is to be taken in the strongest admissible sense: “virtually, as good as”; (also) “completely, utterly, absolutely.”
—Oxford English Dictionary, 3rd edition, Sept. 2011
Argh! Language. So fun. So frustrating. Literally.
However you choose to use the word literally, be aware of the effect it will have on your audience. If you choose to use literally, well, figuratively, then know why you are using it that way and limit its use to maximize effectiveness.
What do you think? Have you heard the word literally being misused or overused? Share in the comments.
PRACTICE
Set your timer for fifteen minutes. Take ten minutes and write a holiday or dinner party scene using as much figurative language as possible. Then take five minutes and rewrite the scene taking the figurative language to its literal extremes.
Share your practice in the Pro Practice Workshop here, and leave feedback for a few other writers. Not a member? Join us here.
Liz Bureman
Liz Bureman has a more-than-healthy interest in proper grammatical structure, accurate spelling, and the underappreciated semicolon. When she’s not diagramming sentences and reading blogs about how terribly written the Twilight series is, she edits for the Write Practice, causes trouble in Denver, and plays guitar very slowly and poorly. You can follow her on Twitter (@epbure), where she tweets more about music of the mid-90s than writing.
Sue Weems
Sue Weems is a writer, teacher, and traveler with an advanced degree in (mostly fictional) revenge. When she’s not rationalizing her love for parentheses (and dramatic asides), she follows a sailor around the globe with their four children, two dogs, and an impossibly tall stack of books to read. You can read more of her writing tips on her website.
‘Literally’ is such an interesting word.
It has meanings which are often opposites! Let’s take a look…
#1 (adverb): the reality
We use ‘literally’ when we want to say information is true / the reality. We often need to use ‘literally’ because the information is surprising.
In Las Vegas I went to this really famous burger place. The burgers were literally 12 inches tall. I didn’t order one, but a few other people did.
(This is surprising information and I want to make it clear that this is true.)
Elena, you have got to gain some weight. I can literally see your ribs through your shirt.
(This is surprising information and I want to make it clear that this is true.)
Literally millions of people took to the streets to march for climate change.
(This is surprising information and I want to make it clear that this is true.)
I went on a yoga retreat for six weeks and you were not allowed to eat or drink anything that had strong flavors or caffeine. I mean literally anything. No coffee, no onions, no chilies etc.
(This is surprising information and I want to make it clear that this is true.)
#2 (adverb): exactly
My mom’s Chinese name literally means ‘beauty’.
(Her name in Chinese and the English word ‘beauty’ are the exact same things.)
Idioms in English are not literal. For example, ‘kill two birds with one stone’ does not literally mean ‘take a stone and try to kill two birds with it’. It means to finish two things at the same time.
I want to learn about ‘basically’
In recent years, ‘literally‘ has lost it’s true definition (the reality / exactly) in informal speech and is often used to exaggerate a situation.
I had such a tough day at work. I literally worked my butt off.
meaning: I worked very hard.
reality: You still have your butt.
That joke was so funny that I literally died laughing.
meaning: It was a very funny joke and I laughed a lot.
reality: You are still alive.
I’m so hungry I could literally eat 50 pizzas.
meaning: I am very hungry.
reality: You couldn’t really eat 50 pizzas.
Summary:
The original definition and usage of ‘literally‘ means: exactly / the reality.
The newer informal definition and usage of ‘literally‘ means: an exaggeration.
Keep an ear out for the word ‘literally‘ in movies, on the news, in blogs etc. Think about the definition you hear.
idiom: Keep and ear out means ‘listen for this’.
Don’t…literally…detach an ear from your head. 😉
Thank you so much for reading! Please leave a comment! Don’t forget to subscribe to my mailing list so you never miss a lesson. AND you’ll get the password to my Free Library.
Your teacher,
Arnel
Do you want to learn how to use literally? Even though it’s a black-and-white issue for many word nerds, it can be tricky. The long-useful adverb (and, more recently, awkward intensifier) has several definitions:
- in the strict (literal) sense: What does “déjà vu” mean literally?
- in a strict (literal) manner; word for word: The beginning language student translated the document literally.
- actually; without exaggeration or inaccuracy: The building was literally destroyed.
- in effect; virtually: The candidate was literally pulverized in the primaries. (Ouch.)
Yes, the word literally can be its own opposite: actually and in effect.
It’s this last use that bugs some people, including me. (The third use annoys me, too. It’s unnecessary. Doesn’t The building was destroyed say it all?)
How to Use Literally
If you want to use literally without sounding goofy, then remember this: Don’t use it to modify verbs and expressions that can only be done literally. It’s redundant.
Take the sentence You should literally read this blog post. It’s no good.
Why? Because reading a post is an action that you can only do literally. You can’t figuratively read a post. You either read something or you don’t.
It annoys me when people use literally to mean figuratively—but it doesn’t literally get on my nerves.
Now, can you read another person’s emotions? Yes. Can you read the writing on the wall? Yes. (After all, a figurative wall with figurative writing requires figurative reading.)
But books, newspapers, text messages, reports, etc.? They can only be read in the literal sense. So there’s no need to use the word literally.
The History of Literally
We get the word literal from Late Latin (via Middle English). The word litterālis means “of letters.”
From there, we added the suffix -ly (around 1525, no less!) to get the adverb form, as we do with many adjectives.
But here’s where things get interesting. The word literally has been used in a non-literal sense since the late 1600s. (So much for thinking that our ancestors were sticklers for proper usage.)
The fact that this “new” use of the word is so different from its original meaning probably explains why people are up in arms (not literally).
English speakers have used literally to mean figuratively since the late 17th century.
RedLine’s “house style” is clear on how to use literally: it’s fine for meanings 1 and 2 above, but meaning 4 is a no-no. (We look at instances of meaning 3 on a case-by-case basis.)
Of course, we deal in the written word. We don’t go around policing people’s speech. (We want to keep our friends, you know.)
If you maintain your own blog, read about good word choice and then check out our checklist for editing your content.
Winning Is Literally Not Losing
So should you lose sleep over how to use literally? If you’re at a bar with a friend, misusing literally is no big deal. Speech is more casual than writing, and speech between friends is more casual than other kinds of speech.
I look at a streak as I don’t lose—literally.
—Tiger Woods, professional golfer and master of the obvious
However, if you’re writing a report for work and don’t know how to use literally, you might come off as uninformed or too casual to people who care about these things.
But don’t write a sentence like this: The percentage of respondents from inner cities literally increased by 10%. Ugh.
If someone asks you how to use literally, then send along this post.
Better yet, you can like it or tweet it. We would appreciate it. Literally.
Sources:
Dictionary.com.
Online Etymology Dictionary.
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
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English[edit]
Alternative forms[edit]
- lit. (abbreviation)
- litterally (obsolete)
Etymology[edit]
From literal + -ly.
Pronunciation[edit]
- (UK) IPA(key): /ˈlɪtəɹəli/, /ˈlɪtɹəli/, (colloquial) /ˈlɪtʃəli/
- (US) IPA(key): /ˈlɪtəɹəli/, [ˈlɪ.ɾɚ.ɨ.li]
Adverb[edit]
literally (comparative more literally, superlative most literally)
- Word for word; not figuratively; not as an idiom or metaphor.
- Synonyms: actually, really, unfiguratively, unmetaphorically; see also Thesaurus:actually
- Antonyms: figuratively, metaphorically, virtually
-
When I saw on the news that there would be no school tomorrow because of the snowstorm, I literally jumped for joy, and hit my head on the ceiling fan.
-
1991, Douglas Coupland, “Dead at 30 Buried at 70”, in Generation X, New York: St. Martin’s Press, →OCLC:
-
All events became omens; I lost the ability to take anything literally.
-
-
2012 May 24, Nathan Rabin, “Film: Reviews: Men In Black 3”, in The Onion AV Club[1]:
-
[…] Men In Black 3 finagles its way out of this predicament by literally resetting the clock with a time-travel premise that makes Will Smith both a contemporary intergalactic cop in the late 1960s and a stranger to Josh Brolin, who plays the younger version of Smith’s stone-faced future partner, Tommy Lee Jones.
-
-
2021 January 7, Luke Broadwater; Emily Cochrane, “Inside the Capitol, the Sound of the Mob Came First”, in The New York Times[2], →ISSN:
-
As lawmakers and staff rushed out, aides snatched the boxes containing the Electoral College certificates, making sure that the vandals could not literally steal the results of the election.
-
- (degree, figuratively, proscribed, contranym) Used non-literally as an intensifier for figurative statements: virtually, so to speak (often considered incorrect; see usage notes)
- Synonym: virtually
-
He was so surprised, he literally jumped twenty feet in the air.
-
My daughter’s pet rabbit had babies, and now we’ve literally got rabbits coming out of our ears.
-
On 9/11 people were literally glued to their TV sets.
-
1827, Sir Walter Scott, “Appendix to Introduction”, in Chronicles of the Canongate[3]:
-
The house was literally electrified; and it was only from witnessing the effects of her genius that he could guess to what a pitch theatrical excellence could be carried.
-
- 1993, Wayne W. Dyer, Real Magic, page 193:
- You literally become the ball in a tennis match, you become the report that you are working on […]
- 2017, New Straits Times (Malaysia) 22 April, page 20:
- [O]ne can assume that the millions or billions of ringgit spent on the war against drugs have gone down the drain, literally.
- (colloquial) Used to intensify or dramatize non-figurative statements.
-
I had no idea, so I was literally guessing.
-
I was literally having breakfast when she arrived.
-
She was literally like, «What?», and I was literally like, «Yeah».
-
Literally who is this?
-
2015, “On the Run”, in Steven Universe:
-
Pearl: Steven, we are not like the No Home Boys. We are literally standing in your home right now.
-
-
- (colloquial) Used as a generic downtoner: just, merely.
- Synonyms: merely; see also Thesaurus:merely
-
It’s not even hard to make—you literally just put it in the microwave for five minutes and it’s done.
-
It won’t take me long to get back, cause the store’s literally two blocks away.
Usage notes[edit]
- Literally is the opposite of figuratively and many authorities object to the use of literally as an intensifier for figurative statements. For example “you literally become the ball”, without any figurative sense, means actually transforming into a spherical object, which is clearly impossible. Rather, the speaker is using literally as an intensifier, to indicate that the metaphor is to be understood in the strongest possible sense. This type of usage is common in informal speech (“she was literally in floods of tears”) and is attested since 1769.
Translations[edit]
Categories:
- English terms suffixed with -ly
- English 4-syllable words
- English 3-syllable words
- English terms with IPA pronunciation
- English terms with audio links
- English lemmas
- English adverbs
- English terms with usage examples
- English terms with quotations
- English proscribed terms
- English colloquialisms
- English contranyms
- English degree adverbs
- English hedges
- English modal adverbs
- English speech-act adverbs
How the Term ‘Literally’ has Changed Over Time
“That chili was so hot it literally blew my
head off”
“She literally flew off the handle”
“That person literally makes my blood boil”
Literally.
It’s the infamous term that infuriates editors,
academics, linguists, publishers, and journalists alike, with people using it
when they actually mean ‘figuratively’ – the exact opposite.
Encouraged by widespread use in celebrity and pop culture, this innocent(ish) adverb exploded into a senseless filler word around 20-30 years ago and is now used liberally and without question by the young (and old, but especially the young), to give their sentences extra ‘oomph’. The problem is that the word has a specific and useful meaning, which is being diluted and devalued by its overuse in incorrect contexts.
It is truly a crisis of language.
At least, that’s what you’d think had happened by some of
the reactions to the word ‘literally’. There seems to be a ‘literal panic’
these days around the use of the word ‘literally’’. Linguistic prescriptivists
– who generally prefer to keep the existing rules of English – have penned
dozens of commentaries and articles on the subject to illustrate their rage.
The reality is, in fact, much less extreme.
Let’s (figuratively) dive into the history
of the word ‘literally’.
‘Literally’ – Language Evolution or Butchery? When did the Literal Panic Start?
The phenomenon of overusing ‘literally’ feels
like an issue from the 21st century, but the reality is that this is
not the case. ‘Literally’ is nothing new, unusual or harmful, and the current
panic about the loss of original meaning is somewhat misplaced.
Non-literal ‘literally’ has been used for centuries!
What’s more, not only is it not a new
thing, but the current controversial meaning – hyperbole and emphasis – developed
gradually and legitimately over time through genuine linguistic change
processes.
The History of the Term Literally
‘Literally’ has origins in borrowings from
French and Latin. The French word literal means ‘relating to letters or
literature’, and the Latin word litteralis describes ‘taking words in
their natural or customary meaning, without any ulterior spiritual or symbolic
meaning’.
The first borrowings of these words can be
dated back to the early 1400s. In around 1450, the first example of the words literal
and literally as we know them today (i.e. a word describing the
primary sense of a concept) appeared.
By 1670, another meaning for the word literally
had surfaced. OED described this as “to indicate that the related phrase or
word must be taken in its literal sense, usually to add emphasis.”
An example of this:
“What punishment has he suffered? Literally
none.”
This new meaning of literally, designed
to add emphasis, served as the precursor to today’s controversial, hyperbolic usage.
The process of the word gaining this new
meaning took place through a steady language change process: bridging contexts.
Literal Change: Words Gaining Extra Meanings Through Bridging Contexts
While it may seem illogical for a word to
evolve from having one exact meaning to then acquiring a second, opposite
meaning, it is an interesting process that took literally to also mean
‘figuratively’.
In the example above, where literally
was added to the word none to illustrate the lack of punishment, there
are two possible interpretations for the word literally: the original
(‘taken in a literal sense’) and the new meaning, where literally adds
emphasis.
Either interpretation would make sense in
its own right, and in fact, it’s even possible for the word literally to
serve both purposes – descriptive and emphatic – in this context. We
have no way of knowing in which sense the writer chose the word literally.
What is a Bridging Context?
The ambiguity behind this example makes it
a bridging context, or a term used in a way that signals multiple
possible interpretations. Readers interpreted the word in both original and
emphatic senses, ultimately validating the emphatic literally.
With continuous use of literally in
this ambiguous way, the meaning of the word gradually shifted further,
culminating in the following excerpt from a 1769 text:
“He is a fortunate man to be introduced to such a party of fine women at his arrival; it is literally to feed among the lilies”
In this sentence, there is no other
possible definition of literally except the hyperbolic.
While it is related to the emphatic literally,
it bears no resemblance to the original definition, ‘taken in a literal sense’.
This shows the full cycle of bridging
contexts, with literally on the ‘other side of the bridge’ in this
example, so to speak.
How Often Does Language Change Happen?
Language change is a continuous and gradual
process.
New words, phrases, and structures become trendy among language speakers, leading to increased popularity, widespread use, and then standardization through inclusion in the dictionary.
This change, and the inclusion of new terms in the dictionary, is nothing to be afraid of; it’s been happening since the beginning of time.
The late 20th and early 21st
centuries saw countless language changes: the Internet, computers, and globalization
have all provided catalysts for new word meanings.
The word spam is a perfect example
of language change: originally a portmanteau of ‘spiced ham’ to describe a
British processed meat product, its primary meaning now describes unwanted
digital communications.
So Why do We See Literally as so Negative?
Now we understand where the modern literally
came from, is it still correct that it receives such bad press?
Although it is now regarded as a contronym (a word with two opposite meanings), there are hundreds of other contronyms in the English language, which are nowhere near as controversial (custom, dust, model, etc).
Language prescriptivists (people who disapprove of semantic change) have the loudest voices when it comes to criticizing literally, but in reality, the figurative definition of the word has been listed in the OED since 1903.
Stanford linguist Arnold Zwicky suggests
that we criticize the word literally so harshly because of the recency
illusion: a phenomenon where we believe that something is recent because we
ourselves only recently discovered it. When we know that ‘literally’ annoys us,
we’re more likely to notice it.
This is related to confirmation bias, and
for those who are irked by literally’s explosion in popularity, it will
be easy to find endless examples of its (mis)use to support their anger.
Language change is inevitable. New words
and meanings evolve while old ones fall into obscurity and obsolescence. There
is always a resistance to change from prescriptivists, but the vendetta against
literally is unusual because it is not a new phenomenon.
At some point in the early 20th
century, the alternative definition for literally was no longer a
misuse, but finally achieved the status of a new definition.
What is more, although it annoys some people, everyone understands the hyperbolic meaning of literally. If the purpose of language is to be able to communicate, then surely the new meaning fulfills the purpose perfectly?
Language is constantly evolving, and it is exactly this element of change that makes it so interesting.
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What’s the Difference Between Literally and Figuratively?
Contents
- 1 What’s the Difference Between Literally and Figuratively?
- 2 Using Literally in a Sentence
- 3 Using Figuratively in a Sentence
- 4 Remembering Literally vs. Figuratively
- 5 Outside Examples
- 6 Quiz: Figuratively vs. Literally
- 7 Article Summary
These two words have opposite meanings. At first glance, they don’t seem to have enough in common to make them confusing.
Literally is an adverb that means in the exact sense and without exaggeration.
- Usain Bolt is literally the fastest man who has ever lived.
Figuratively is an adverb that means metaphorically or not literally.
- She’s a witch, figuratively speaking.
The reason these two words merit their own article is because of the way people use literally in colloquial speech. When speaking in an informal way, many people use literally in the sense of figuratively as an intensifier. This makes it hard to know for sure exactly what a person means when they use literally. This usage is nonstandard and not fit for academic English.
Let’s practice a few ways you can use these words correctly in Standard American English.
Using Literally in a Sentence
When to use literally: Use literally to describe something that is factually accurate, without exaggeration or embellishment.
For example,
- This course is literally the most difficult one in the whole university. It was rated as hardest by a survey of all the undergraduates.
- This company spent literally millions of dollars on this lawsuit. In fact, they spent exactly 3.4 million dollars.
A couple synonyms for the correct usage of literally include actually and really. Synonyms for the colloquial usage of literally include in effect or virtually. Using either of those last two expressions would be appropriate in academic English.
Using Figuratively in a Sentence
When to use figuratively: Figuratively refers to language that is hyperbolic or metaphorical. It can also refer to a figure of speech.
For example:
- His face turned as red as a beet, figuratively speaking of course.
- Don’t be scared! When I said I wanted to kill you I was speaking figuratively. What I literally meant was that I was very angry at you. That’s all.
Another way to describe figuratively is that the words have a meaning that is different than their dictionary definition. Idioms are a good example of figurative language. For example, the expression it’s raining cats and dogs simply means it is raining very hard.
Remembering Literally vs. Figuratively
The spellings of these two words can help remind you of which meaning relates to which word.
Figuratively contains the letters fig, like the expression figure of speech. Both figuratively and figure of speech relate to metaphorical expressions.
On the other hand, literally comes from the Latin word for letters. Therefore, if you read the letters of a word, and do not think about any symbolism behind the word, you would know the literal meaning.
Outside Examples
- ‘‘Literally got along with everybody,’’ reliever Chris Beck said. ‘‘It didn’t matter. You just walked in the locker room? You’ve been here all year? He treated you the same. He wasn’t the most vocal leader, but he led the right way.’’ –Chicago Sun Times
- PSG is literally owned by a oil-rich country, who are willing to shell out as much as it takes to win, without a thought. –LA Times
- The Patriots have apparently decided that figuratively owning the Jets isn’t enough for them. –New York Daily News
- In addition to Bitcoin, there are now hundreds of cryptocurrencies in circulation, some more liquid than others. Not all seem quite kosher in the figurative sense of the word. –Wall Street Journal
Quiz: Figuratively vs. Literally
Instructions: Fill in the blank with the correct word, either figuratively or literally.
- At the drop of a hat doesn’t really mean anything about a hat. When people say this, they are speaking ______________ and mean quickly.
- When I say that she is as fast as a cat, I mean that ____________. We had a race between her and my pet cat, and they tied.
- He broke her heart, but of course I don’t mean that ________________. It’s just a figure of speech.
See answers below.
Article Summary
Should I use literally or figuratively? Despite the fact that some people use literally to mean figuratively, you should never mix the meanings of these two words in professional or academic writing.
- Literally refers to the exact meaning of the words, with no metaphorical or symbolic meaning.
- Figuratively refers to a metaphorical or hyperbolic meaning.
In other words, use figuratively for idioms or exaggerations, and literally when there is no change from the dictionary definition of the words.
Answers from Quiz
- figuratively
- literally
- literally
1
: in a literal sense or manner: such as
a
: in a way that uses the ordinary or primary meaning of a term or expression
He took the remark literally.
a word that can be used both literally and figuratively
b
—used to emphasize the truth and accuracy of a statement or description
The party was attended by literally hundreds of people.
c
: with exact equivalence : with the meaning of each individual word given exactly
The term «Mardi Gras» literally means «Fat Tuesday» in French.
d
: in a completely accurate way
a story that is basically true even if not literally true
2
: in effect : virtually
—used in an exaggerated way to emphasize a statement or description that is not literally true or possible
will literally turn the world upside down to combat cruelty or injustice—
Norman Cousins
Should literally be used for emphasis?: Usage Guide
Sense 2 is common and not at all new but has been frequently criticized as an illogical misuse. It is pure hyperbole intended to gain emphasis, but it often appears in contexts where no additional emphasis is necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can literally mean figuratively?
One of the definitions of literally that we provide is «in effect, virtually—used in an exaggerated way to emphasize a statement or description that is not literally true or possible.» Some find this objectionable on the grounds that it is not the primary meaning of the word, «with the meaning of each individual word given exactly.» However, this extended definition of literally is commonly used and is not quite the same meaning as figuratively («with a meaning that is metaphorical rather than literal»).
Is the extended use of literally new?
The «in effect; virtually» meaning of literally is not a new sense. It has been in regular use since the 18th century and may be found in the writings of Mark Twain, Charlotte Brontë, James Joyce, and many others.
Is the extended use of literally slang?
Among the meanings of literally is one which many people find problematic: «in effect, virtually—used in an exaggerated way to emphasize a statement or description that is not literally true or possible.» Neither this nor any of the other meanings of literally is what we would consider slang. This sense has been in standard use by many esteemed writers since the 18th century.
Example Sentences
… make the whole scene literally glow with the fires of his imagination.
—Alfred Kazin, Harper’s, December 1968
Even Muff did not miss our periods of companionship, because about that time she grew up and started having literally millions of kittens.
—Jean Stafford, Bad Characters, 1954
Lily, the caretaker’s daughter, was literally run off her feet. Hardly had she brought one gentleman into the little pantry … than the wheezy hall-door bell clanged again and she had to scamper along the bare hallway to let in another guest.
—James Joyce, Dubliners, 1914
… yet the wretch, absorbed in his victuals, and naturally of an unutterable dullness, did not make a single remark during dinner, whereas I literally blazed with wit.
—William Makepeace Thackeray, Punch, 30 Oct. 1847
Many words can be used both literally and figuratively.
He took her comments literally.
He’s a sailor who knows his ropes, literally and figuratively.
The term “Mardi Gras” literally means “Fat Tuesday” in French.
The story he told was basically true, even if it wasn’t literally true.
See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Plus, the dewdrop rhinestones are literally next level.
—Hannah Oh, Seventeen, 3 Feb. 2023
There have also been historic and systemic efforts to beat — literally, in some cases — the Spanish out of Latinxs.
—Los Angeles Times, 2 Feb. 2023
Your beverage choices are another place to make some greener swaps—literally.
—Nick Blackmer, Verywell Health, 2 Feb. 2023
The installation process is, literally, peel and stick.
—Maggie Gillette, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Jan. 2023
But simultaneously, the world was literally at our fingertips and there was this massive cultural and political reckoning going on in this country, on so many different levels.
—Rebecca Aizin, Peoplemag, 31 Jan. 2023
There have been literally hundreds of these, and the best ones were compiled on this record.
—Mia Hughes, SPIN, 30 Jan. 2023
For most of her high school days, Clayton’s home was literally on the other side of town in the East Outer Drive and Dickerson neighborhood near City Airport.
—Scott Talley, Freep.com, 29 Jan. 2023
Lorio’s sculptures are literally, if not philosophically, more substantial.
—Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 27 Jan. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word ‘literally.’ Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of literally was
in the 15th century
Dictionary Entries Near literally
Cite this Entry
“Literally.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/literally. Accessed 14 Apr. 2023.
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