
Literally
Literal Meaning
Use 'literally' when something happens in the most basic or strict sense. It's not a figure of speech.
The book was literally written by hand, ink on paper.
No Exaggeration
Remember not to use 'literally' to exaggerate; use it for what actually happened.
His antique vase was literally a hundred years old.
Historical Context
In older texts, 'literally' often signals that the words should not be taken figuratively.
Her heart was literally broken in the medical sense, she had a cardiac injury. Compare with
AbsoluteExactIn effectJustLargelyPositiveReallyTrue
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