Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

literally

 adverb
     
lit‧e‧ral‧ly S2
1 according to the most basic or original meaning of a word or expression:
The name of the cheese is Dolcelatte, literally meaning 'sweet milk'.
I said I felt like quitting, but I didn't mean it literally (=I did not mean exactly what I said)!
2

take somebody/something literally

to believe exactly what someone or something says rather than trying to understand their general meaning:
She takes the Bible literally.
3 used to emphasize that something, especially a large number, is actually true:
The Olympic Games were watched by literally billions of people.
4 spoken used to emphasize a strong expression or word that is not being used in its real or original meaning. Some people consider this use to be incorrect.:
Dad was literally blazing with anger.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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