Added 5 October 2026
literal
/ˈlɪt(ə)ɹəl/ noun
Latin root: litteralis Wiktionary
noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about literal at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
adjective
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Being or reflecting the essential or genuine character of something.
her actual motive
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Without interpretation or embellishment.
a literal depiction of the scene before him
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Limited to the explicit meaning of a word or text.
a literal translation
Origin
From Middle English literal, from Old French literal, from Late Latin litteralis or literalis (“of or pertaining to letters or to writing”), from Latin littera or litera (“a letter”). See letter.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)