Literally
/ˈlɪtərəli/noun
In a literal or exact sense, without exaggeration or metaphor.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from Latin littera, meaning “letter,” linking literal speech to the ancient idea that written symbols preserve exact meaning.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Latin
Latin
littera
“A letter of the alphabet or a written character”
Late Latin
Latin
litteralis
“Of or relating to letters; exact or word-for-word”
Medieval Latin
Latin
literaliter
“Literally; in the literal sense”
14th Century
Middle English
literal
“According to the letter or exact wording of a text”
15th Century
English
literally
“In a literal manner or according to the exact words”
Modern English
English
literally
“Exactly or in a literal sense; also commonly used informally as an intensifier”
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