literally
adverb
lit·er·al·ly
ˈli-tə-rə-lē 
ˈli-trə-lē,
ˈli-tər-lē
1
: in a literal sense or manner: such as
a
: in a way that uses the ordinary or primary meaning of a term or expression
He took the remark literally.
a word that can be used both literally and figuratively
b
—used to emphasize the truth and accuracy of a statement or description
The party was attended by literally hundreds of people.
c
: with exact equivalence : with the meaning of each individual word given exactly
The term "Mardi Gras" literally means "Fat Tuesday" in French.
d
: in a completely accurate way
a story that is basically true even if not literally true
Should literally be used for emphasis?: Usage Guide
Sense 2 is common and not at all new but has been frequently criticized as an illogical misuse. It is pure hyperbole intended to gain emphasis, but it often appears in contexts where no additional emphasis is necessary.
Examples of literally in a Sentence
… make the whole scene literally glow with the fires of his imagination.
—
Alfred Kazin, Harper's, December 1968
Even Muff did not miss our periods of companionship, because about that time she grew up and started having literally millions of kittens.
—Jean Stafford, Bad Characters, 1954
Lily, the caretaker's daughter, was literally run off her feet. Hardly had she brought one gentleman into the little pantry … than the wheezy hall-door bell clanged again and she had to scamper along the bare hallway to let in another guest.
—James Joyce, Dubliners, 1914
… yet the wretch, absorbed in his victuals, and naturally of an unutterable dullness, did not make a single remark during dinner, whereas I literally blazed with wit.
—William Makepeace Thackeray, Punch, 30 Oct. 1847
Many words can be used both literally and figuratively.
He took her comments literally.
He's a sailor who knows his ropes, literally and figuratively.
The term “Mardi Gras” literally means “Fat Tuesday” in French.
The story he told was basically true, even if it wasn't literally true.
Alfred Kazin, Harper's, December 1968
Even Muff did not miss our periods of companionship, because about that time she grew up and started having literally millions of kittens.
—Jean Stafford, Bad Characters, 1954
Lily, the caretaker's daughter, was literally run off her feet. Hardly had she brought one gentleman into the little pantry … than the wheezy hall-door bell clanged again and she had to scamper along the bare hallway to let in another guest.
—James Joyce, Dubliners, 1914
… yet the wretch, absorbed in his victuals, and naturally of an unutterable dullness, did not make a single remark during dinner, whereas I literally blazed with wit.
—William Makepeace Thackeray, Punch, 30 Oct. 1847
Many words can be used both literally and figuratively.
He took her comments literally.
He's a sailor who knows his ropes, literally and figuratively.
The term “Mardi Gras” literally means “Fat Tuesday” in French.
The story he told was basically true, even if it wasn't literally true.
Recent Examples on the Web
And rather than being designed in a Top Secret military facility—literally, Area 51, used for the U-2—at the expense of billions of taxpayer dollars, Planet’s doing it with around six hundred employees and hardly a security clearance in sight.
—Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025
In 2006’s Monster House, a group of kids (voiced by Sam Lerner, Spencer Locke and Mitchel Musso) and their babysitter (Maggie Gyllenhaal) are forced to fight a haunted house that’s literally come to life after being possessed by a spirit.
—Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
Chris and Angie’s meet-cute Chris literally first saw Angie across a crowded room.
—Kansas City Star, 27 Oct. 2025
That’s literally what happened.
—Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for literally
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025
In 2006’s Monster House, a group of kids (voiced by Sam Lerner, Spencer Locke and Mitchel Musso) and their babysitter (Maggie Gyllenhaal) are forced to fight a haunted house that’s literally come to life after being possessed by a spirit.
—Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
Chris and Angie’s meet-cute Chris literally first saw Angie across a crowded room.
—Kansas City Star, 27 Oct. 2025
That’s literally what happened.
—Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for literally
Video
Literally
A word that (literally) drives people nuts
Cite this Entry
“Literally.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/literally. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
literally
adverb
lit·er·al·ly
ˈlit-ər-(ə-)lē
ˈli-trə-lē
1
: in a literal sense or manner : actually
the flying machine literally never got off the ground
2
: practically sense 2, virtually
literally poured out new ideas
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share