literal

letterale

Che segue il significato normale e diretto delle parole, senza interpretarle in modo figurato o indiretto.

In inglese semplice: Following the exact, ordinary meaning of words rather than an imagined or indirect meaning.

• What is the literal meaning of this phrase?
• A literal translation can sound strange.
• He took her joke in a literal sense.

Sinonimi: word-for-word, exact

Contrari: figurative

Espressioni comuni: literal meaning, literal translation, literal interpretation

vero e proprio, totale

Si usa per rafforzare molto una descrizione, anche quando non è del tutto vera.

In inglese semplice: Used to strongly emphasize a description, even when it is not exactly true.

• That meeting was a literal nightmare.
• You are a literal angel for helping me.
• These slow queues are the literal worst.

Sinonimi: absolute, complete, total

Espressioni comuni: the literal worst, a literal nightmare, a literal angel