Literaly vs. Literally — Which is Correct Spelling?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on March 22, 2024
"Literaly" is the wrong spelling. The correct spelling is "Literally," which means "in a literal or exact sense."
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Literaly or Literally
How to spell Literally?
Literaly
Incorrect Spelling
Literally
Correct Spelling
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Key Differences
Recite: "literal + ly = literally."
"Literaly" has one l missing.
Remember "literal" and just add "ly."
Think of two l's in the middle, just like in "ball."
Recall "literally" has the same number of letters as "absolutely."
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How Do You Spell Literally Correctly?
Incorrect: The book literaly fell apart in my hands.
Correct: The book literally fell apart in my hands.
Incorrect: He literaly exploded with rage over the phone.
Correct: He literally exploded with rage over the phone. (Note: This use of "literally" is hyperbolic, as people don't actually explode.)
Incorrect: She was literaly the last person to arrive.
Correct: She was literally the last person to arrive.
Incorrect: It's literaly raining cats and dogs outside.
Correct: It's literally raining cats and dogs outside. (Note: This is an idiomatic expression; it doesn't mean animals are falling from the sky.)
Incorrect: I literaly cannot believe what just happened.
Correct: I literally cannot believe what just happened.
Literally Definitions
In a manner that exactly follows the meaning of the words.
He translated the text literally.
Word for word.
She translated it literally.
Literally means in a strict sense, without exaggeration or metaphor.
I was literally frozen with fear.
In a literal manner; word for word
Translated the Greek passage literally.
In a literal or strict sense
Don't take my remarks literally.
Actually; in effect; practically. Used as an intensive to emphasize a figurative statement in an exaggerated way
“There are people in the world who literally do not know how to boil water” (Craig Claiborne). I was so angry that my heart literally exploded with rage.
Word for word; not figuratively; not as an idiom or metaphor.
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.
Used non-literally as an intensifier for figurative statements: virtually, so to speak (often considered incorrect; see usage notes)
He was so surprised, he literally jumped twenty feet in the air.
My daughter's pet rabbit had babies, and now we've literally got rabbits coming out of our ears.
On 9/11 people were literally glued to their TV sets.
(colloquial) Used to intensify or dramatize non-figurative statements.
I had no idea, so I was literally guessing.
I was literally having breakfast when she arrived.
She was literally like, "What?", and I was literally like, "Yeah".
Literally who is this?
(colloquial) Used as a generic downtoner: just, merely.
It's not even hard to make—you literally just put it in the microwave for five minutes and it's done.
It won't take me long to get back, cause the store's literally two blocks away.
According to the primary and natural import of words; not figuratively; as, a man and his wife can not be literally one flesh.
With close adherence to words; word by word.
So wild and ungovernable a poet can not be translated literally.
In a literal sense;
Literally translated
He said so literally
(intensifier before a figurative expression) without exaggeration;
Our eyes were literally pinned to TV during the Gulf war
Used for emphasis while not being actually true.
I have literally been there a thousand times.
In a direct and basic way without metaphor.
The dream was literally a message.
Literally Meaning in a Sentence
She literally jumped with joy when she heard the news.
I was literally the only person who showed up on time.
They literally built the house from the ground up.
I literally ran into my teacher at the grocery store.
The bridge was literally shaking as we drove over it.
The comedian was so funny, I was literally in tears.
He literally wrote the book on modern architecture.
I was so hungry, I could literally eat a horse. (Note: This is a common hyperbole.)
He's literally the fastest runner I've ever seen.
My phone is literally my lifeline; I use it for everything.
The project literally took forever to complete.
The movie was so scary, I was literally on the edge of my seat.
We were literally the last people to leave the party.
The sun was literally blazing that day.
The city was literally deserted early in the morning.
She literally knows everyone in town.
My heart was literally racing during the movie.
The ice cream melted and was literally running down my arm.
I'm literally at a loss for words.
I literally bumped into a glass door because it was so clean.
They were literally shouting at the top of their lungs.
She literally aced every single exam.
I'm literally dying of embarrassment right now. (Note: Hyperbolic use.)
It's literally the best cake I've ever tasted.
The announcement was so shocking, I was literally speechless.
Literally Idioms & Phrases
Literally blown away
Hyperbolically impressed or overwhelmed by something.
I was literally blown away by the performance, even though I know I wasn't physically moved.
Literally speaking
Referring to the exact and primary meaning of a word or phrase, without exaggeration or metaphor.
Literally speaking, break a leg means to fracture one's leg, but it's commonly used to wish someone good luck.
Literally on fire
Extremely enthusiastic or performing very well; also can mean actually burning.
The team was literally on fire last night, scoring one goal after another.
Take something literally
To understand something in the most basic sense, without inferring any hidden meaning or metaphor.
When he said he slept like a log, I knew not to take it literally.
Not to be taken literally
A phrase indicating that what is being said should not be understood in its strictest sense.
It's raining cats and dogs is not to be taken literally.
Common Curiosities
Which vowel is used before Literally?
It can be preceded by any vowel, but there isn't a specific one always used before "literally."
Why is it called Literally?
It's derived from "literal," meaning "taking words in their original sense."
What is the root word of Literally?
"Literal."
What is the pronunciation of Literally?
"LIT-er-uh-lee."
Which conjunction is used with Literally?
No specific conjunction is tied to "literally."
What is the singular form of Literally?
Literally (it doesn't have a plural/singular distinction as it's an adverb).
What is the verb form of Literally?
Literally is an adverb, so it doesn't have a verb form.
What is the plural form of Literally?
Not applicable.
Which preposition is used with Literally?
Various prepositions can be used, e.g., "in" as in "in literally every case."
Is Literally an adverb?
Yes.
Is Literally a countable noun?
No, it's not a noun.
Is the Literally term a metaphor?
No, but it's often used in non-literal contexts for emphasis.
What is the opposite of Literally?
Figuratively.
Is Literally a noun or adjective?
Neither, it's an adverb.
Is the word Literally imperative?
No.
What is a stressed syllable in Literally?
"Lit."
What part of speech is Literally?
Adverb.
Which determiner is used with Literally?
No specific determiner is tied to "literally."
Is the word Literally a gerund?
No.
Is the word “Literally” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
Neither, it's an adverb.
How many syllables are in Literally?
Four.
How do we divide Literally into syllables?
Lit-er-al-ly.
What is the first form of Literally?
Not applicable (as it's not a verb).
What is the third form of Literally?
Not applicable.
Which article is used with Literally?
Articles aren't typically paired specifically with "literally."
Is Literally an abstract noun?
No.
Is Literally a negative or positive word?
Neutral.
Is Literally a vowel or consonant?
"Literally" is a word made up of both vowels and consonants.
Is Literally a collective noun?
No.
What is another term for Literally?
Actually, truly.
What is the second form of Literally?
Not applicable.
How is Literally used in a sentence?
"She was literally over the moon with happiness."
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
