Reading Theme:
Literally Meaning, Usage & Common Mistakes (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：emphatically (literally)
literally
/ˈlɪt.ər.ə.li/
adv.
Used to emphasize something, even if it's not exactly true, to show strong feeling or create a strong image.
emphatically
➕
/ɪmˈfæt.ɪ.kli/
adv.
Used to emphasize a statement strongly, often hyperbolically, even if not literally true.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
Latin 'littera' (letter) + '-al' + '-ly'.
💡 Mnemonic
Think of 'letter' — the word has both a letter-by-letter meaning and an exaggerated one.
📖 Example
When I saw my exam score, I literally jumped for joy.
When I saw my exam score, I literally jumped for joy.
🔗 Collocations
literally thousands – emphasizing a very large number, often exaggerated
literally impossible – emphasizing that something seems completely impossible
literally speechless – emphasizing extreme surprise or shock
🔄 Synonyms
virtually (adv.) – Almost the same, used for emphasis in a similar hyperbolic way
practically (adv.) – Close to the truth, used for strong emphasis
essentially (adv.) – In a fundamental way, often used to add emphasis
🚫 Antonyms
literally (adv.) – The literal sense of the same word, used as a contrast
🌱 Derivatives
literal (adj.) – Taking words in their usual or most basic sense
literalism (n.) – Adherence to the exact letter or literal sense
literalist (n.) – A person who interprets words literally
📖 Cultural Story
Originally 'by the letter' from Latin littera. From 17th century, used for hyperbolic emphasis, creating a dual sense of literal and figurative.
Meaning 2：exactly (literally)
literally
/ˈlɪt.ər.ə.li/
adv.
Meaning exactly what the words say, with no exaggeration or metaphor.
exactly
➕
/ɪɡˈzækt.li/
adv.
Indicating that the words should be understood in their most basic, non-figurative sense.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The idiom "the tip of the iceberg" means there's a much bigger problem underneath; it's not literally about ice.
The idiom "the tip of the iceberg" means there's a much bigger problem underneath; it's not literally about ice.
🔗 Collocations
literally true – exactly true without exaggeration
literally correct – precisely accurate in a factual sense
literally speaking – using the word in its strictest sense
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
figuratively (adv.) – In a metaphorical or non-literal sense
metaphorically (adv.) – Using a figure of speech
loosely (adv.) – In a relaxed, non-exact manner
🌱 Derivatives
literal (adj.) – Taking words in their usual or most basic sense
literalism (n.) – Adherence to the exact letter or literal sense
literalist (n.) – A person who interprets words literally
Wordbook
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