Literally
adverb
Exactly as described; in a true sense.
I was literally the last one to know about the surprise party.
Often appears as...
- literally speaking
- literally translated
adverb
Used to emphasize the truth of a statement, even if it is surprising or exaggerated.
I have literally hundreds of things to do before the weekend.
Often appears as...
- literally impossible
- literally unbelievable
Usage tips
Exaggerating
adverb
Exactly as described; in a true sense.
I was literally the last one to know about the surprise party.
Often appears as...
- literally speaking
- literally translated
adverb
Used to emphasize the truth of a statement, even if it is surprising or exaggerated.
I have literally hundreds of things to do before the weekend.
Often appears as...
- literally impossible
- literally unbelievable
Usage tips
Exaggerating
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Literal Meaning
Use 'literally' when something happens in the most basic or strict sense. It's not a figure of speech.
The book was literally written by hand, ink on paper.
Pro Tip 2/3No Exaggeration
Remember not to use 'literally' to exaggerate; use it for what actually happened.
His antique vase was literally a hundred years old.
Pro Tip 3/3Historical Context
In older texts, 'literally' often signals that the words should not be taken figuratively.
Her heart was literally broken in the medical sense, she had a cardiac injury.
Pro Tip 1/3Literal Meaning
Use 'literally' when something happens in the most basic or strict sense. It's not a figure of speech.
The book was literally written by hand, ink on paper.
Pro Tip 2/3No Exaggeration
Remember not to use 'literally' to exaggerate; use it for what actually happened.
His antique vase was literally a hundred years old.
Pro Tip 3/3Historical Context
In older texts, 'literally' often signals that the words should not be taken figuratively.
Her heart was literally broken in the medical sense, she had a cardiac injury.
Pro Tip 1/3Literal Meaning
Use 'literally' when something happens in the most basic or strict sense. It's not a figure of speech.
The book was literally written by hand, ink on paper.
Pro Tip 2/3No Exaggeration
Remember not to use 'literally' to exaggerate; use it for what actually happened.
His antique vase was literally a hundred years old.
Pro Tip 3/3Historical Context
In older texts, 'literally' often signals that the words should not be taken figuratively.
Her heart was literally broken in the medical sense, she had a cardiac injury.
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Video examples
Are China and the US...
old women telling me the stories of when they were five years old and literally ripped away from their parents, like this lady here. It was extraordinary for me to then be able to embrace and to kiss Aboriginal elders as they came into the parliament building, and one woman said to me,
Video examples
A whale saved my life PIPE...
literally out of the water. That was just unreal and I wasn't up there for too long before 'Poof' I was right back down underwater again. He was getting frustrated. He was and so at that point, I think he said, OK, fine, I'm just going to put you on my face.
Video examples
How to create a great...
hsbc to help the bank expand globally real words like uber and slack are ripped right out of a dictionary and suggest attributes or benefits uber literally means an outstanding example so it works well for a company with big broad bold ambitions beyond
Video examples
How many universes are...
another infinity. Some physicists think the space-time continuum is literally infinite, and that it contains an infinite number of so-called pocket universes with varying properties. How's your brain doing? But quantum theory adds a whole new wrinkle.
Video examples
How to build a fictional...
Authors of science fiction and fantasy literally build worlds. They make rules, maps, lineages, languages, cultures, universes, alternate universes within universes, and from those worlds sprout story, after story, after story. When it's done well,
Video examples
What makes a hero? -...
because we humans reflect on our world through symbolic stories of our own lives. You leave your comfort zone, have an experience that transforms you, and then you recover and do it again. You don't literally slay dragons or fight Voldemort,
Video examples
Questions No One Knows...
infinity. Some physicists think the space-time continuum is literally infinite and that it contains an infinite number of so-called pocket universes with varying properties. How's your brain doing? Quantum theory adds a whole new wrinkle.
Video examples
New Zealand's Stunning...
All of a sudden you’re overlooking this amazing body of water with this huge cliff. I don’t think that I’ve seen that kind of a magical beach in my life. Like, jaw dropping. The water literally had like eight different shades of colours.
Video examples
Flying Fish Picked Off...
When frigates join the hunt, the flying fish are literally caught between the devil and the deep blue sea.
Video examples
ONE HOUR of Amazing...
when frigates join the hunt the flying fish are literally caught between the devil and the deep blue sea
Video examples
Are China and the US...
old women telling me the stories of when they were five years old and literally ripped away from their parents, like this lady here. It was extraordinary for me to then be able to embrace and to kiss Aboriginal elders as they came into the parliament building, and one woman said to me,
Video examples
A whale saved my life PIPE...
literally out of the water. That was just unreal and I wasn't up there for too long before 'Poof' I was right back down underwater again. He was getting frustrated. He was and so at that point, I think he said, OK, fine, I'm just going to put you on my face.
Video examples
How to create a great...
hsbc to help the bank expand globally real words like uber and slack are ripped right out of a dictionary and suggest attributes or benefits uber literally means an outstanding example so it works well for a company with big broad bold ambitions beyond
Video examples
How many universes are...
another infinity. Some physicists think the space-time continuum is literally infinite, and that it contains an infinite number of so-called pocket universes with varying properties. How's your brain doing? But quantum theory adds a whole new wrinkle.
Video examples
How to build a fictional...
Authors of science fiction and fantasy literally build worlds. They make rules, maps, lineages, languages, cultures, universes, alternate universes within universes, and from those worlds sprout story, after story, after story. When it's done well,
Video examples
What makes a hero? -...
because we humans reflect on our world through symbolic stories of our own lives. You leave your comfort zone, have an experience that transforms you, and then you recover and do it again. You don't literally slay dragons or fight Voldemort,
Video examples
Questions No One Knows...
infinity. Some physicists think the space-time continuum is literally infinite and that it contains an infinite number of so-called pocket universes with varying properties. How's your brain doing? Quantum theory adds a whole new wrinkle.
Video examples
New Zealand's Stunning...
All of a sudden you’re overlooking this amazing body of water with this huge cliff. I don’t think that I’ve seen that kind of a magical beach in my life. Like, jaw dropping. The water literally had like eight different shades of colours.
Video examples
Flying Fish Picked Off...
When frigates join the hunt, the flying fish are literally caught between the devil and the deep blue sea.
Video examples
ONE HOUR of Amazing...
when frigates join the hunt the flying fish are literally caught between the devil and the deep blue sea
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Kanye West
American Rapper
In today's world, having money has allowed people who are extremely uncool to think that they're cool and carry it like that. People who really are cool and people who really are artists and have ideas have to literally turn in their cool card to society just to make it past the age of 28.
Quote examples
Joe Biden
American President
Let me tell you what I literally told every world leader I've met with, and I've met them all: It's never, never, never been a good bet to bet against America. We have the finest fighting force in the world.
Quote examples
Napoleon Hill
American Author
It is literally true that you can succeed best and quickest by helping others to succeed.
Quote examples
Tamlyn Tomita
Japanese Actress
You can't escape 'Star Trek' influence, especially characters you literally grew up with.
Quote examples
Lil Baby
American Musician
Young Thug, he gave me all the jewels. He literally paid me to leave the neighborhood.
Quote examples
JPEGMAFIA
American Musician
When I take from my influences, it's rare that I do it literally.
Quote examples
Ruth Rendell
British Writer
I really do literally put myself into a character's shoes.
Quote examples
Ryan Bethencourt
American Scientist
Biohacking could literally change the world as we know it.
Quote examples
Selah Louise Marley
I've literally been all around the world in 80 days!
Quote examples
Jimmy Graham
American Athlete
In my life, the sky is literally the ceiling.
Quote examples
Kanye West
American Rapper
In today's world, having money has allowed people who are extremely uncool to think that they're cool and carry it like that. People who really are cool and people who really are artists and have ideas have to literally turn in their cool card to society just to make it past the age of 28.
Quote examples
Joe Biden
American President
Let me tell you what I literally told every world leader I've met with, and I've met them all: It's never, never, never been a good bet to bet against America. We have the finest fighting force in the world.
Quote examples
Napoleon Hill
American Author
It is literally true that you can succeed best and quickest by helping others to succeed.
Quote examples
Tamlyn Tomita
Japanese Actress
You can't escape 'Star Trek' influence, especially characters you literally grew up with.
Quote examples
Lil Baby
American Musician
Young Thug, he gave me all the jewels. He literally paid me to leave the neighborhood.
Quote examples
JPEGMAFIA
American Musician
When I take from my influences, it's rare that I do it literally.
Quote examples
Ruth Rendell
British Writer
I really do literally put myself into a character's shoes.
Quote examples
Ryan Bethencourt
American Scientist
Biohacking could literally change the world as we know it.
Quote examples
Selah Louise Marley
I've literally been all around the world in 80 days!
Quote examples
Jimmy Graham
American Athlete
In my life, the sky is literally the ceiling.
Example 1 of 10
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