literally

Meanings

1. 1
   adv

   (intensifier before a figurative expression) without exaggeration

   our eyes were literally pinned to TV during the Gulf War

2. 2
   adv

   in a literal sense

   literally translated

3. 3
   adv

   Word for word, exactly as stated.

   He's prone to exaggeration, so don't take what he says literally.

4. 4
   adv

   As an intensifier.

   I had no idea, so I was literally guessing.

5. 5
   adv

   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.