ˈlid.ərəlē, ˈlitər(ə)l-, ˈli.trə-, -li adverb
1.
a. : in the literal sense : without metaphor or exaggeration : explicitly
he can always be taken seriously; he cannot always be taken literally — E.R.Bentley
interpret the Bible figuratively as well as literally — R.W.Murray
b. : in the literal meaning of the term : actually , really
broke the … ice literally by jointly blasting the formidable frozen barrier — Alexander Kendrick
migrations of passenger pigeons … crossed here by the millions, literally darkening the sky — American Guide Series: Michigan
2. : with exact equivalence : verbatim
simultaneous interpreters translate the speaker's words literally
3. : in effect : virtually
a collection of … devices that will literally make your hair stand on end — Horace Sutton
this boy literally rode roughshod over the patient — L.E.Hinsie