non-literal

non--lit·er·al

N n

Definitions of non-literal word

adjective non-literal in accordance with, involving, or being the primary or strict meaning of the word or words; not figurative or metaphorical: the literal meaning of a word. 1
adjective non-literal following the words of the original very closely and exactly: a literal translation of Goethe. 1
adjective non-literal true to fact; not exaggerated; actual or factual: a literal description of conditions. 1
adjective non-literal being actually such, without exaggeration or inaccuracy: the literal extermination of a city. 1
adjective non-literal (of persons) tending to construe words in the strict sense or in an unimaginative way; matter-of-fact; prosaic. 1
adjective non-literal of or relating to the letters of the alphabet. 1

before 1350

One of the 20% oldest English words

1350-1400; Middle English < Late Latin litterālis “of letters.” See letter1, -al1

noun

adjective

verb

adverb

pronoun

preposition

conjunction

determiner

exclamation

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 94% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.

According to our data most of word are more popular. This word is almost not used. It has a much more popular synonym.