Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

literal-meaning

adjective

/ˈlɪt.ər.əl ˈmiː.nɪŋ/

Definition

The explicit or primary meaning of a word or phrase, without any metaphor or exaggeration.

Examples

When someone says it was a ‘cold day,’ they may mean it was literally freezing outside.
The teacher asked the students to interpret the poem’s literal meaning before discussing its deeper themes.
He took my comments literally, misunderstanding that I was joking.

Meaning

The literal meaning refers to the most straightforward interpretation of a word, phrase, or statement, without considering any underlying implications or figurative language.