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literally

/ˈlɪtərəli/ adverb · British & US

Valid in UKValid in US

What does literally mean?

adverb

Used to emphasize that something is happening or is true exactly as stated, and not metaphorically or figuratively.

Example

"I'm literally starving, let's get some food."

Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.

Words that share this root

Latin litteralis French littéralement Old French litteral

What's another word for literally?

actually genuinely really truly authentically sincerely

What's the opposite of literally?

figuratively metaphorically hypothetically

Rhymes with literally

literally potentially actually potent