Literally vs. Factually — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Literally and Factually
ADVERTISEMENT
Compare with Definitions
Literally
In a literal manner or sense; exactly
The driver took it literally when asked to go straight over the roundabout
Tiramisu, literally translated ‘pull-me-up’
Factually
Of the nature of fact; real.
Literally
In a literal manner; word for word
Translated the Greek passage literally.
Factually
Of or containing facts.
Literally
In a literal or strict sense
Don't take my remarks literally.
ADVERTISEMENT
Factually
In a factual manner
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.
Factually
As a fact or based on fact;
They learn much, factually, about the problems of retirement and provision for old age, and, psychologically, in the sharing of their thoughts on retirement
Literally
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.
Literally
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.
Literally
(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?
Literally
(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.
Literally
According to the primary and natural import of words; not figuratively; as, a man and his wife can not be literally one flesh.
Literally
With close adherence to words; word by word.
So wild and ungovernable a poet can not be translated literally.
Literally
In a literal sense;
Literally translated
He said so literally
Literally
(intensifier before a figurative expression) without exaggeration;
Our eyes were literally pinned to TV during the Gulf war
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Telephone vs. Microphone
Next Comparison
Germination vs. Emergence
