literal-minded
Takes words plainly
Literal-minded describes someone who interprets words and statements at face value, missing or ignoring figurative meaning, irony, or subtext.
A literal-minded person takes it's raining cats and dogs as a puzzling claim about falling animals rather than heavy rain.
The trait suggests limited imagination or inflexibility, though it can also indicate directness: He's too literal-minded to appreciate sarcasm.
In identical wording
- word-for-wordExactly as stated
- textualOf written content
- explicitClearly and directly expressed
- exactPerfectly correct, no deviation
precise · denotation · dictionary · unambiguous · straightforward · unequivocal · face-value · direct
Obligated to follow regulations
- detail-orientedFocused on small elements
- systematicFollowing ordered procedures
- methodicalOrganized and deliberate
- logicalBased on valid reasoning
analytical · precision · accuracy · specificity · clarity · compartmentalized · categorical · linear
Lacking imagination or excitement
- pedestrianOne traveling afoot
- unpoeticLacking verse's qualities
- humorlessWithout wit or levity
- matter-of-factUnemotional and practical
dry · stolid · uninspired · earthbound · unadventurous · uncreative · plodding · dull
Focused on workable solutions
- no-nonsenseSerious and efficient
- down-to-earthPractical and without pretension
- realisticTrue to life
- sensibleShowing good judgment
utilitarian · functional · grounded · levelheaded · commonsensical · straightforward · plain-spoken · blunt
verbatim
In identical wording
- word-for-wordExactly as stated
- textualOf written content
- explicitClearly and directly expressed
exact · precise · denotation · dictionary · unambiguous · straightforward · unequivocal · face-value · direct · concrete
rule-bound
Obligated to follow regulations
- detail-orientedFocused on small elements
- systematicFollowing ordered procedures
- methodicalOrganized and deliberate
logical · analytical · precision · accuracy · specificity · clarity · compartmentalized · categorical · linear · sequential
prosaic
Lacking imagination or excitement
- pedestrianOne traveling afoot
- unpoeticLacking verse's qualities
- humorlessWithout wit or levity
matter-of-fact · dry · stolid · uninspired · earthbound · unadventurous · uncreative · plodding · dull · flat
pragmatic
Focused on workable solutions
- no-nonsenseSerious and efficient
- down-to-earthPractical and without pretension
- realisticTrue to life
sensible · utilitarian · functional · grounded · levelheaded · commonsensical · straightforward · plain-spoken · blunt · frank
literal-mindedmetaphorical
Symbolic rather than literal
symbolic · figurative · allegorical · interpretive · reading between the lines
literal-mindednuanced
Having fine distinctions
subtle · perceptive · intuitive · sophisticated · ironic
literal, literally, literalness, literalism, literalist, literalistic, literate, literacy, illiterate