## Meanings
1. Taking words in their basic, exact meaning, not figurative.
2. Following the exact words of the original, without changes.
3. Real and actual, with no exaggeration.

## Examples
- The literal meaning of the phrase is different from how people use it.
- This is a fine literal translation, but it loses the poetry.
- That is the literal truth.

## Antonyms
- figurative
- free
- illiteral
- metaphorical
- nonliteral

## Derived Forms
- antiliteral
- biliteral
- duoliteral
- hexaliteral
- hyperliteralism
- illiteral
- literal-minded
- literalise
- literalism
- literalist
- literalistic
- literality

## Related Forms
- constant
- letter
- literacy
- literary
- literate
- literature

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: literal
- Root: litteralis
- Root: littera

## Etymology
From Middle English literal, from Old French literal, from Late Latin litteralis or literalis (“of or pertaining to letters or to writing”), from Latin littera or litera (“a letter”). See letter.

## AI Etymology
Literal comes from Middle English literal, from Old French literal, from Late Latin litteralis or literalis (“of or pertaining to letters or to writing”), from Latin littera or litera (“a letter”). See letter. In present-day English its meanings include taking words in their basic, exact meaning, not figurative, following the exact words of the original, without changes, and real and actual, with no exaggeration. The historical chain runs through literal (Middle English), literal (Old French), litteralis (Late Latin), and littera (Latin). Related and derived forms include constant, letter, literacy, and antiliteral.

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- Describing Qualities

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