Dictionary

adverb

Definitions

1. Word for word; not figuratively; not as an idiom or metaphor

   Example: When I saw on the news that there would be no school tomorrow because of the snowstorm, I literally jumped for joy, and hit my head on the ceiling fan.

   Synonyms:actuallyreally
   Antonyms:figurativelymetaphoricallyvirtually

2. (degree, contranym) Used non-literally as an intensifier for figurative statements: virtually, so to speak (often considered incorrect; see usage notes)

   Example: He was so surprised, he literally jumped twenty feet in the air.

   Synonyms:virtually

3. Used to intensify or dramatise non-figurative statements; tending towards a meaningless filler word in repeated use.

   Example: I had no idea, so I was literally guessing.

4. Used as a generic downtoner: just, merely.

   Example: You literally put it in the microwave for five minutes and it's done.

   Synonyms:merely