Literal

Adjective. 'Literal' refers to something that is strictly in accordance with, or limited to, the explicit meaning of words, without any exaggeration, metaphor, or figurative interpretation.

It represents the most direct and straightforward understanding of language or information, often contrasted with figurative or symbolic interpretations.

A Literal translation attempts to convey the exact words of the original text.

It can also describe a person or entity who is overly pragmatic and unable to consider perspectives beyond the obvious and concrete.

Literal meaning with examples

• The directions were so literal; they told me to 'walk forward,' but didn't specify how far, so I just stood there confused until someone offered clarification of the actual distance I was supposed to walk.
• His Literal interpretation of the joke completely missed the intended irony and sarcasm, leading to an awkward silence amongst the rest of us who understood the context.
• The software documentation provided a Literal list of steps without any troubleshooting advice, leaving users struggling when the process deviated even slightly from the described procedure.
• When asked about her feelings, she gave a Literal description of her physiological responses, detailing her heart rate and skin temperature, rather than expressing any true emotions.