literality
Word-for-word precision
Literality is the quality of being literal—adhering strictly to the exact meaning of words rather than interpreting them figuratively or loosely.
A focus on literality means taking statements at face value: The literality of his reading missed the poem's deeper meaning.
The word often appears in discussions of interpretation, translation, or legal language where precise wording matters.
Correctness in every detail
- precisionAccuracy of measurement
- accuracyDegree of correctness
- fidelityLoyalty or exactness
- faithfulnessDevoted loyalty maintained
strictness · unvarnished · matter-of-fact · prosaic · unembellished · plainness · straightforwardness · bluntness
Word's explicit dictionary meaning
- plain meaningDirect, straightforward interpretation
- face valuePrinted denomination shown
- non-figurativeDepicting recognizable reality
- straightforwardClear and uncomplicated
explicit · semantic · lexical · propositional · referential
Cited passage or price
- transcriptionWritten version of speech
- word-for-wordExactly as stated
- exactnessCorrectness in every detail
- replicationAct of duplicating precisely
reproduction · facsimile · reiteration · restatement · echo · duplication · copy · reprint
Analyzing sacred text meaning
- hermeneuticsStudy of interpretation methods
- fundamentalismStrict adherence to core tenets
- inerrancyTotal freedom from mistakes
- exegesisCritical textual interpretation
exactness
Correctness in every detail
faithfulness · strictness · unvarnished · matter-of-fact · prosaic · unembellished · plainness · straightforwardness · bluntness · concreteness
denotation
Word's explicit dictionary meaning
- plain meaningDirect, straightforward interpretation
- face valuePrinted denomination shown
- non-figurativeDepicting recognizable reality
straightforward · explicit · semantic · lexical · propositional · referential
quotation
Cited passage or price
- transcriptionWritten version of speech
- word-for-wordExactly as stated
- exactnessCorrectness in every detail
replication · reproduction · facsimile · reiteration · restatement · echo · duplication · copy · reprint · citation
biblical interpretation
Analyzing sacred text meaning
- hermeneuticsStudy of interpretation methods
- fundamentalismStrict adherence to core tenets
- inerrancyTotal freedom from mistakes
literalityfigurative meaning
Non-literal intended significance
symbolism · metaphor · allegory · connotation · figurative language
literalitypoeticism
Overly ornate expression
abstraction · imaginativeness · fancy · poetic license · artistic expression