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Literately: meaning, definitions and examples

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literately

 

[ ˈlɪtərəli ]

Adverb
Context #1 | Adverb

literal sense

The word 'literally' is commonly used to emphasize that something is true in a literal context, without exaggeration. It is often used to indicate that a statement is not metaphorical, but instead describes an actual situation. In more recent usage, it can also be used for emphasis in a hyperbolic sense, which sometimes leads to confusion about its meaning. Despite these changes in usage, 'literally' retains its core meaning tied to the lack of figurative language.

Synonyms

actually, exactly, precisely, verbatim

Examples of usage

  • He was so tired that he literally fell asleep standing up.
  • When I say I've read every book in the library, I mean literally.
  • The movie was literally breathtaking.
  • You are literally the best friend I could ask for.

Translations

Translations of the word "literately" in other languages:

🇵🇹 literalmente

🇮🇳 शाब्दिक रूप से

🇩🇪 wörtlich

🇮🇩 secara harfiah

🇺🇦 дослівно

🇵🇱 dosłownie

🇯🇵 文字通り (moji dōri)

🇫🇷 littéralement

🇪🇸 literalmente

🇹🇷 harfiyen

🇰🇷 글자 그대로 (geulja geudaero)

🇸🇦 حرفيًا (harfiyan)

🇨🇿 doslovně

🇸🇰 doslovne

🇨🇳 字面上 (zìmiàn shàng)

🇸🇮 do besede

🇮🇸 bókstaflega

🇰🇿 дословно

🇬🇪 სიტყვასიტყვით (sit'k'vasit'vit)

🇦🇿 sözbəsöz

🇲🇽 literalmente

Word origin

The word 'literally' comes from the Latin root 'littera', which means 'letter'. This Latin word evolved into the Old French 'literaire' and then entered the English language in the early 19th century. Initially, 'literally' was used to denote the actual meaning of a word or phrase, correlating directly to its etymological roots in written letters and literal text. Over time, especially in colloquial speech, the usage expanded to include cases where speakers used 'literally' for emphasis, even when the statement was not strictly accurate or meant to be taken in a figurative sense. This latter usage has been a point of contention among grammarians and language purists, but it reflects the dynamic and evolving nature of language.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #43,200, this word is among the least frequently used in common English. Understanding it can be beneficial for comprehensive language mastery, but it's not essential for most learners.