literal meaning
noun phrase
Pronunciation: ˈlɪtərəl ˈmiːnɪŋ
Definition
The most basic, primary sense of a word or phrase, stripped of any figurative, metaphorical, or idiomatic associations.
Examples
The literal meaning of the word 'cold' is a low temperature, not a lack of emotion.
Students often struggle to separate the literal meaning of a poem from its deeper symbolic themes.
You should take his instructions as having their literal meaning rather than looking for hidden sarcasm.
Synonyms of literal meaning
Words with a similar meaning to literal meaning:
Antonyms of literal meaning
Words with the opposite meaning to literal meaning:
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