Literally

Literally is an adverb used to convey that a statement or description is accurate or true in the most basic, non-figurative sense. It emphasizes that the words being used should be understood exactly as they are stated, with no exaggeration or metaphor involved. In informal contexts, it may also be used for emphasis, even in situations that are not strictly true.

Literally meaning with examples

• When I say I was so tired I could literally fall asleep standing up, I mean that I felt completely exhausted, as if my body was ready to collapse at any moment. It wasn't an exaggeration; it was an honest reflection of my fatigue after a long day.
• During the heat wave last summer, the pavement was literally too hot to touch. When I tried to walk barefoot, I found it unbearable. People were warned to avoid direct contact; it was a genuine concern for anyone exposed to those extreme temperatures.
• The book was so captivating that I literally couldn't put it down. Every chapter left me on the edge of my seat, and I found myself reading until dawn. It wasn't just a saying—it was a true experience that I had while immersed in the story.
• He was so nervous before his big presentation that he literally felt his heart racing. As he stood in front of the audience, he could feel the adrenaline coursing through his veins. It was as if he could hear his heartbeat echo in the silence of the room.