Literally vs. Figuratively – How to Use Each Correctly

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Literally vs. Figuratively – What’s the Gist?

Although each word in this pairing has a completely different meaning, the misuse comes when the literal meaning for one is applied to the other.

  • Literally is an adverb.
  • Figuratively also functions as an adverb.

The key to understanding these two words is knowing how you want to use them.

literally versus figuratively

How to Use Literally in a Sentence

Literally definition: The adverb literally means in a literal sense or manner. It can be used to emphasize the veracity of a statement or explanation, and it has a denotation of meaning the exact word-for-word equivalent.

For example:

  • The sun literally came over the horizon today at 6:58 A.M. (Adverb)
  • After describing the accident, the driver asserted to the officer, “That is literally how it happened.” (Adverb)
  • The literary term in medias res means literally into the midst of things. (Adverb)

Where the problem lies is when literally is being used as hyperbole to emphasize a statement or description that is obviously not true or possible.

For example:

  • The surprise of the event literally knocked him into next week. (Adverb)

To be accurate, it would be better to use the word figuratively in the above sentence. When communicating a figure of speech, such as hyperbole or exaggeration, use the word figuratively.

How to Use Figuratively in a Sentence

Figuratively definition: As just mentioned, the adverb figuratively reflects something in a figurative way. In other words, the meaning is metaphorical rather than literal.

For example:

  • The CPA worked figuratively all night long during tax season. (Adverb)

The example above means that even though the CPA worked very long hours and it might seem like it was all night long, she did go to bed at some point during tax season.

Another denotation of the word figuratively is a creative term meaning in a way that is not purely abstract.

For example:

  • By painting figuratively, her style landed somewhere between being abstract and being representative. (Adverb)

Remember, the word figurative is a representational term.

Outside Examples of Literally vs. Figuratively

  • If it sounds exhausting and demoralizing, it is. But in trying to explain it to neurotypical acquaintances, I am often encouraged to just “be myself.” What they don’t realize is how dramatically different that self is from the bubbly, warm persona they know. Few are prepared for my taciturn way of speaking and my off-putting, emotionless facial expression. Few are prepared for literal responses to small talk. –The Washington Post
  • So there was always an opportunity for a campaign like Biden’s to consolidate a lot of Democratic voters with a message of restoration and continuity, in a way that simply wasn’t true for a literal Bush relative like Jeb Bush — or even a figure like Marco Rubio, who was positioned, in certain ways, as W.’s ideological heir. –Hartford Courant
  • Valparaiso saw a 2% drop in major crimes last year but drivers continued to experience headaches, literally and figuratively, going through the city’s many roundabouts, with one on the city’s north side racking up almost 80 crashes, according to a release from the Valparaiso Police Department. –Chicago Tribune
  • “A belt…holds together a man’s ensemble at his centerpoint,” said Mr. Fisher. It follows that picking the wrong one could figuratively make your look fall apart. Err on the side of caution whether testing out a funky belt at work or less riskily on the weekend. Keep the rest of your outfit minimal and monotone, making the belt your one piece of flair. –The Wall Street Journal

Phrases That Use Literally and Figuratively

There are very few phrases that use either the word literally or figuratively. However, that being said, you may find yourself using the following:

Figuratively speaking: To use a figure of speech to communicate something metaphorically.

  • “I read hundreds of books a year, figuratively speaking,” the scholar bragged.

How to Remember These Words

Although it is commonly misused, knowing whether or not you are speaking literally or figuratively will help you pick the proper term.

Ask yourself, do I mean this information to be literal in nature? If so, you may want to pick the word literally to be precise in your language.

Or ask yourself, am I employing a figure of speech such as hyperbole to emphasize something? If so, choose the word figuratively to be more accurate in your communication.

Quiz: Literally or Figuratively

  • At the end of the workday, the landscaper felt that he had moved _______ a thousand tons of paver blocks.
  • The mother corrected the child _______ three times within fifteen minutes.
  • Because she loved to drink coffee, the woman _______ drank four cups a day.
  • After receiving the boss’s reprimand, the employee felt he had been put _______ through a wringer.

Article Summary

Is literally or figuratively correct? The word literally has been used to mean figuratively for a long time, so much so, that the term has come to mean both literally and figuratively. Even though this is literally true, it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t strive for precision in speaking and writing.

However, if you do use the word literally to mean something figuratively, it’s not literally the end of the world.

  • Literally is an adverb indicating a literal sense.
  • Figuratively is an adverb reflecting a metaphorical sense.

Quiz Answers

  • Figuratively
  • Literally
  • Literally
  • Figuratively