# literal

/ˈɫɪtɝəɫ/ (US) · /lˈɪtəɹəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/literal
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. exact meaning

adjective · CEFR B2

the most basic or exact meaning of a word, without any metaphors or exaggeration.

For teachers: pertaining to the primary or strict meaning of a word or expression; devoid of metaphorical or figurative interpretation.

- The literal meaning of 'blue' is a color, but it can also mean feeling sad.
- The translator struggled to balance a literal rendering of the text with the need to preserve the author's poetic tone.

Usage: usually placed before the noun

### 2. real or actual

adjective · CEFR B2

used to emphasize that something is real or actually happened.

For teachers: denoting the actual or factual nature of a thing; used to emphasize that a description is not an exaggeration.

- The storm caused a literal mountain of trash to wash up on the beach.
- The explorers faced a literal wall of ice that blocked their path to the summit for three days.

### 3. fixed value in code

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a fixed value written directly into a computer program, like a specific number or a piece of text.

For teachers: a notation for representing a fixed value within source code, as opposed to a variable or an identifier.

- In the code, the number 5 is a literal, while 'x' is a variable.
- The compiler optimizes the program by evaluating string literals at compile time rather than during execution.

Usage: countable noun in technical contexts

### 4. spelling mistake

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Technical

a small mistake in printing or writing, especially one that involves a single letter.

For teachers: a typographical error involving a single character or letter, often occurring during typesetting or transcription.

- The editor found a few literals in the first chapter that needed correcting.
- Despite multiple rounds of proofreading, a single literal remained in the final title of the academic journal.

## Examples

- The number 42 in your code is an integer literal.
- When you assign a specific word to a variable, you must wrap the string literal in quotation marks so the computer understands it is text.
- In many programming languages, attempting to modify a string literal directly will result in a runtime error, as these values are typically stored in read-only memory.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.