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TOEFL IELTS BNC: 3512 COCA: 2469

literally

adverb

lit·​er·​al·​ly ˈli-tə-rə-lē How to pronounce literally (audio)
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
2
: in effect : virtually
—used in an exaggerated way to emphasize a statement or description that is not literally true or possible
will literally turn the world upside down to combat cruelty or injustice Norman Cousins
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.

Example Sentences

… 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. See More
Recent Examples on the Web Recruiting and supporting students who want to study history is literally my job, and the news these days isn't great for humanists like me. David M. Perry, CNN, 8 Sep. 2022 The tiara collection of Queen Elizabeth II is the stuff of legends—literally. Rebecca Cope, Glamour, 8 Sep. 2022 This is a letter-word game with a twist — literally. Marisa Lascala, Good Housekeeping, 6 Sep. 2022 Just as impactful was the sense of community around the brand, literally, as the open-air set-up at the show allowed access for a big audience. Laird Borrelli-persson, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2022 Poppy Love's performance this week was a true labor of love — literally. Dave Quinn, Peoplemag, 2 Sep. 2022 Jay-Z too old to not know this, in the raps talking about buying paintings, properties and reselling them and making investments, this is literally what a capitalist does. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 2 Sep. 2022 On a night when the temperature was 82 degrees as the concert began at 7 p.m., Los Straitjackets was the hottest act on stage, literally. George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Sep. 2022 Thus, the movie is literally ugly (harshly photographed by Sean Price Williams and Hunter Zimny), yet not entirely dismissible. Armond White, National Review, 31 Aug. 2022 See More

Word History

Etymology

see literal entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of literally was in the 15th century

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