What does literality mean?
Literality is the quality of interpreting, translating, or expressing language according to its exact and literal meaning. It refers especially to fidelity to the words used, without the addition of an implied, figurative, or contextual meaning. In legal, linguistic, and literary discussion, the term can describe the precise relationship between a text and its interpretation: a translation might preserve literality while still reading naturally, or a dispute might concern whether a particular clause was intended literally. The word is usually neutral, though it can suggest excessive or pedantic attention to wording when used critically. It should not be confused with literalism, which more commonly denotes a method or doctrine of literal interpretation. Although uncommon in everyday speech, literality is useful in discussions of language, law, and interpretation because it highlights the difference between what a text says and what its author may have intended.
nounThe quality of adhering closely to the literal or exact meaning of words, especially in interpretation or expression.
- The quality of being literal or closely adhering to the exact meaning of words.
"His translation preserved the literality of the original without sacrificing readability."
"Her concern was less with elegance than with the literality of the legal wording."
"The debate centered on the literality of a single ambiguous phrase."
The plural is rare and is used only when referring to different instances or degrees of literal adherence.
"The two versions have markedly different literalities."
Literality is where text means exactly what it says—and why a poet may sometimes wish it did not.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does literality come from?
Literality was formed in English from the adjective literal and the noun-forming suffix -ity. Literal derives through Old French from Latin litteralis, meaning “of letters” or “expressed by letters,” ultimately from Latin littera, “letter.” Other English words from the same Latin family include literate and literature, referring respectively to learning and to written or literary works.
How literality is actually used
Literality is formal and relatively uncommon. It is often neutral when emphasizing fidelity to wording, but it may carry a mildly critical connotation when it suggests excessive attention to the letter of a text at the expense of broader meaning.
Easily confused with literality
Literality is the quality of interpreting or expressing words literally, whereas literalism more often names a deliberate method or doctrine based on literal interpretation.