literally
//ˈlɪ.tə.ɹə.li//
Forms
- Comparative
- more literally
- Superlative
- most literally
Definitions
1.In a literal manner; exactly as stated, word for word.
- He's prone to exaggeration, so don't take what he says literally.
- All events became omens; I lost the ability to take anything literally.
- Profit and corporate giving are, quite literally, two sides of the same coin.
2.As an intensifier.
- I had no idea, so I was literally guessing.
- I was literally having breakfast when she arrived.
- On 9/11 people were literally glued to their TV sets.
3.Used as a generic downtoner: just, merely.(colloquial)
- It won't take me long to get back, 'cause the store's literally two blocks away.
- It's not even hard to make, you literally just put it in the microwave for five minutes and it's done.
Frequency
Overall
Uncommon· #2215
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Rare
- General reading & writing
- Uncommon
- Academic
- Rare
- Literature
- Rare
Etymology
Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *h₂leyH-der.
Old Latin leitera
Latin līterader.?
Proto-Hellenic *dipʰtʰérā?
Ancient Greek διφθέρᾱ (diphthérā)bor.
Etruscan [Term?]bor.?
Latin littera
Proto-Indo-European *h₂el-der.?
Proto-Italic *-ālis
Latin -ālis
Late Latin litterālisbor.