What Does "Literally" Mean?

When someone uses the word "literally," it means that they are using a word or phrase in its most basic and straightforward sense. It's a way of emphasizing something and indicating that it's not meant to be taken figuratively or metaphorically.

In recent years, "literally" has become a widely used word in everyday speech. You've probably heard people say things like "I literally died laughing" or "I'm literally starving." However, it's worth noting that these uses of "literally" are technically incorrect. In the first example, the speaker obviously did not die laughing since they are still alive to tell the tale. In the second example, the speaker is likely not actually starving to death, but rather just very hungry.

The Overuse of "Literally"

The widespread misuse of "literally" has become a common complaint among many language enthusiasts. Some argue that it's a sign of declining language standards and a lack of attention to proper grammar and usage.

Others point out that language is constantly evolving, and that words can change their meanings over time. In this sense, the popular usage of "literally" today might simply be a reflection of how people communicate in the modern era.

Regardless of your opinion on the subject, it's important to understand the correct usage of "literally" in order to communicate effectively and accurately.

Examples of Correct Usage

So, when is it appropriate to use "literally"? Here are a few examples:

"I literally jumped out of my skin when I saw the spider." (The speaker is emphasizing that they were so scared that they had a physical reaction.)

"I'm literally standing at the front door waiting for you." (The speaker is emphasizing the exact location where they are waiting.)

"The sun is literally setting behind the mountains." (The speaker is emphasizing that this is actually happening, and not just a turn of phrase.)

When to Avoid Using "Literally"

While it's important to understand correct usage, it's also important to recognize situations where "literally" may not be the best choice of word. Here are a few examples:

"I'm so hungry, I could literally eat a horse." (This is an example of hyperbole, or extreme exaggeration, and using "literally" here would be incorrect.)

"She's so angry, she's literally breathing fire." (This is an example of figurative language, and using "literally" here would not be accurate.)

"I'm literally drowning in paperwork." (While this might feel true in a metaphorical sense, using "literally" here would not be accurate.)

The Importance of Effective Communication

Ultimately, the choice to use "literally" or not is a matter of clarity and effective communication. If using "literally" helps to emphasize a point and make a message clearer, then it may be the right choice.

However, if using "literally" would be inaccurate or misleading, then it's usually best to choose a different word or phrase.

At the end of the day, the goal of communication is to convey a message clearly and effectively. Understanding the correct usage of words like "literally" can help to achieve that goal.