Comparisons Wiki

Literially vs. Literally: The Correct Spellings

Edited by Muazma Batool — By Muneeza Rehman — Published on March 24, 2024
"Literially" is incorrect; the correct spelling is "literally." Literally means in a literal manner or sense; exactly.
Literially vs. Literally

Which is correct: Literially or Literally

How to spell Literally?
Incorrect Spelling

Literially

Correct Spelling

Literally

Is it Literially or Literally

Remember, "literal" forms the base of "literally," not "literial."
Muneeza Rehman
Mar 24, 2024
"Literally" combines "literal" with "ly," indicating it pertains to the literal or exact meaning.
Muneeza Rehman
Mar 24, 2024
The correct spelling emphasizes "lit" as in "light" – think of shining a light on the exact meaning.
Muazma Batool
Mar 24, 2024
Associate "literally" with "actually" to help remember the correct spelling and meaning.
Kaitlyn
Mar 24, 2024

How Do You Spell Literally Correctly?

Incorrect: The book was literially on the edge of the table.
Correct: The book was literally on the edge of the table.
Levi
Mar 24, 2024
Incorrect: They were literially the last people to leave the party.
Correct: They were literally the last people to leave the party.
Muneeza Rehman
Mar 24, 2024
Incorrect: He was literially stuck in traffic for hours.
Correct: He was literally stuck in traffic for hours.
Muneeza Rehman
Mar 24, 2024
Incorrect: I literially can't believe what happened.
Correct: I literally can't believe what happened.
Muneeza Rehman
Mar 24, 2024
Incorrect: She literially jumped for joy when she heard the news.
Correct: She literally jumped for joy when she heard the news.
Muazma Batool
Mar 24, 2024

Literally Definitions

In a way that adheres strictly to the original meaning.
He took her words literally.
Muazma Batool
Feb 26, 2024
Actually; without exaggeration.
There were literally hundreds of people there.
Muneeza Rehman
Feb 26, 2024
In a literal manner; exactly as stated.
The story was literally unbelievable.
Muneeza Rehman
Feb 26, 2024
In a factual sense; truly.
The event was literally a milestone in his career.
Henry
Feb 26, 2024
Used for emphasis while not being literally true.
I was literally dying of laughter.
Muneeza Rehman
Feb 26, 2024

Literally Meaning in a Sentence

He said he could sleep for days, but he didn't mean it literally.
Muneeza Rehman
Mar 24, 2024
The temperature was literally below freezing.
Muneeza Rehman
Mar 24, 2024
She was literally the first person to arrive.
Muneeza Rehman
Mar 24, 2024
I was literally at the edge of my seat during the entire performance.
Olivia
Mar 24, 2024
The book literally fell apart in my hands.
Muneeza Rehman
Mar 24, 2024
My phone was literally on 1% battery when I found a charger.
Muneeza Rehman
Mar 24, 2024
The movie's ending was literally a cliffhanger.
Levi
Mar 24, 2024
They literally walked in the rain without an umbrella.
Muazma Batool
Mar 24, 2024
He literally painted the whole house by himself.
Lucas
Mar 24, 2024
I literally ran into my teacher at the store.
Olivia
Mar 24, 2024
I've literally told you a thousand times not to do that.
Muazma Batool
Mar 24, 2024
The project was literally a race against time.
Elijah
Mar 24, 2024
We were literally the only ones who knew the answer.
Muneeza Rehman
Mar 24, 2024
She literally aced every exam.
Muneeza Rehman
Mar 24, 2024
She was literally glowing with happiness on her wedding day.
Levi
Mar 24, 2024
The joke was so funny, I was literally crying with laughter.
Muneeza Rehman
Mar 24, 2024
The concert was literally the best night of my life.
Henry
Mar 24, 2024
The city was literally empty during the holiday.
Henry
Mar 24, 2024
He was literally shaking with excitement.
Muneeza Rehman
Mar 24, 2024
The sky was literally filled with stars.
Elijah
Mar 24, 2024

Literally Idioms

To be taken literally

To be understood in the exact sense without interpretation.
His advice was not to be taken literally.
Muneeza Rehman
Mar 24, 2024

Literally speaking

Referring to the exact and precise meaning of words.
Literally speaking, he's not wrong.
Muneeza Rehman
Mar 24, 2024

Take something literally

To understand something in the most basic or direct sense without metaphor or exaggeration.
You shouldn't take his comments literally.
Muneeza Rehman
Mar 24, 2024

Literally translated

The process of changing text from one language to another with exact correspondence.
Bonjour is literally translated as Good day.
Muneeza Rehman
Mar 24, 2024

Literally bursting

Used to emphasize a strong or overwhelming feeling, though not physically bursting.
I was literally bursting with excitement.
Muazma Batool
Mar 24, 2024

Literally on fire

To be performing exceptionally well, though not actually burning.
The team was literally on fire last night.
Muneeza Rehman
Mar 24, 2024

Literally fell off my chair

To express something very surprising or funny, though not actually falling.
I literally fell off my chair laughing.
William
Mar 24, 2024

Literally hit the roof

To become extremely angry, though not actually hitting any roof.
He literally hit the roof when he saw the mess.
Nolan
Mar 24, 2024

Literally thrown

To express surprise or confusion, although not physically thrown.
I was literally thrown by the plot twist.
Muneeza Rehman
Mar 24, 2024

Literally out of this world

To describe something as extraordinary, though not from outer space.
The performance was literally out of this world.
Muneeza Rehman
Mar 24, 2024

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it acceptable to use "literally" in formal writing?

In formal writing, it's best to use "literally" to mean "in a literal sense" to avoid ambiguity or informality.
Levi
Mar 24, 2024

How can I use "literally" correctly in a sentence?

Use "literally" to emphasize that something happened exactly as stated or to highlight the truth of a statement without exaggeration.
Lucas
Mar 24, 2024

What is the difference between "literally" and "figuratively"?

"Literally" means exactly as described, while "figuratively" involves metaphorical or symbolic interpretation.
Olivia
Mar 24, 2024

Why do some people criticize the use of "literally" in figurative speech?

Critics argue that using "literally" in figurative speech contradicts its original meaning and can cause confusion.
Muneeza Rehman
Mar 24, 2024

Does the misuse of "literally" change its definition?

Language evolves, and frequent misuse can influence dictionaries to acknowledge new meanings, as seen with "literally."
Lucas
Mar 24, 2024

Can "literally" be used for emphasis on non-literal statements?

Yes, although traditionally meant for actual situations, "literally" is commonly used for emphasis in figurative expressions.
Muneeza Rehman
Mar 24, 2024

How can I tell if "literally" is being used correctly?

Consider the context: if the statement makes sense exactly as it is, "literally" is likely used correctly. If it's an exaggeration or metaphor, "literally" is used for emphasis.
Muazma Batool
Mar 24, 2024

What does literally mean?

Literally means in a literal or exact manner; it's used to emphasize the truthfulness or accuracy of a statement.
Muneeza Rehman
Mar 24, 2024

Is it appropriate to use "literally" for hyperbole?

While common in casual speech, using "literally" for hyperbole is discouraged in formal contexts to maintain clarity.
Muneeza Rehman
Mar 24, 2024

Can "literally" be used in academic writing?

Yes, but ensure it clarifies accuracy without ambiguity, especially in contexts where precision is crucial.
Muneeza Rehman
Mar 24, 2024

Content Creators

Written by
Muneeza Rehman
At Comparisons.wiki, Muneeza skillfully navigates the vast sea of information, ensuring clarity and accuracy as the lead content editor. With a keen eye for detail, she curates every comparison to enlighten and engage readers.
Edited by
Muazma Batool
As a content editor, Muazma Batool is not just a grammar guru but a creative mastermind who breathes life into every word. With an eagle eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, she transforms bland text into engaging content that captivates audiences and drives results.

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