literal
Pronunciation: [ˈlɪtərəl]
Word
Context: “language”
(adjective) when something means exactly what it says. If someone uses the word 'literal', they want you to understand the exact meaning without any tricks or exaggeration.
Example
The story is about a literal dragon that breathes fire, not just a character called a dragon.
Example
He didn't mean it in a literal way; he was just joking about flying.
Example
Did you take her words in a literal way, or were you just playing along?
Context: “interpretation”
(adjective) when something is explained in a straightforward manner without figurative language or symbolism. This helps if you want to be very clear about what's being said.
Example
The teacher asked us to provide a literal interpretation of the poem, focusing on the words used.
Example
His explanation was not literal; it contained a lot of metaphor and was quite confusing.
Example
Can you give a literal meaning of the phrase 'kick the bucket'?
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