literally

Literally is an adverb that originally signified something stated in its exact, non-figurative sense. In traditional usage, it indicates adherence to the primary meaning of words or events, without metaphor or exaggeration.

Etymology traces literally to Latin littera, meaning “letter,” and it passed through Old French and Middle English before entering Modern English. The related adjective literal shares the same root and originally carried the sense of being in accordance with the literal sense of words or text.

In contemporary English, literally is frequently used as an intensifier to stress extreme degree or vividness, even when the statement is not literally true. This figurative use has become widespread in informal speech and online communication, contributing to the word’s distinctive pragmatic ambiguity. Many style guides advise caution in formal writing, arguing that literal meaning should be preserved unless the intensification is clearly warranted. Dictionaries now recognize both senses, noting the common non-literal use alongside the traditional literal sense.

Examples illustrate the dual usage. “I literally ran five miles” is a statement of fact when the distance is real; “I was literally overwhelmed” emphasizes intensity, though the emotion may be figurative. Phrases like “I literally died laughing” are common in everyday language but are often considered hyperbole. The coexistence of literal and figurative uses has sparked ongoing discussion about precision, clarity, and the evolving nature of language.

See also: literal, figurative language, hyperbole, intensifier.