Words / C1

LIT-uh-r-uh-lee/ˈlɪtərəli/

Literally means according to the exact meaning of the words, not as a picture or exaggeration: literally dark (the lights failed). Literal is the adjective; literacy (already in the dictionary) is reading skill. In casual talk people use literally as an intensifier (I literally died) — C1 writing should keep the exact sense. Do not write literally for a metaphor you still mean as a metaphor.

Meaning

According to the exact meaning of the words; not metaphorically.

Examples

• “The lab was literally dark: the lights had failed, not “the mood”.”
• “Exact and actually are everyday cousins. Literacy is reading. Literary is of literature. Figuratively is the opposite adverb. If you mean very, say very.”

Good to know

In the exact, non-metaphor sense. Adjective: literal. Mix-ups: literacy; literary. Opposite: figuratively. Casual intensifier is not C1 prose.

Near in meaning

exactly

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