literally
In a literal manner; exactly as stated, word for word.
Adverb 3 meanings
In a literal manner; exactly as stated, word for word.
“He's prone to exaggeration, so don't take what he says literally.”
As an intensifier.
“I had no idea, so I was literally guessing.”
Used as a generic downtoner: just, merely.
“It's not even hard to make—you literally just put it in the microwave for five minutes and it's done.”
Etymology
From Middle English litteraly. See literal and letter. By surface analysis, literal + -ly.
Similar and opposite words
LITERALLY at a glance
LITERALLY has 9 letters and scores 12 points in Scrabble (L 1 + I 1 + T 1 + E 1 + R 1 + A 1 + L 1 + L 1 + Y 4) and 14 in Words With Friends, before board bonuses. It ranks #1,271 by how often it appears in everyday English. It is valid in ENABLE, NWL2023, Collins/SOWPODS.
Rhymes with literally
All rhymesOne letter away
- LATERALLY12
- LIBERALLY14
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