Difference Between the Terms Literally & Figuratively

Literally vs Figuratively

It is common to hear sentences containing words like literally or figuratively to enhance the impact of the statement. These words have different meanings and are used in different contexts; however, many people feel they are similar and use them as synonyms. This article takes a closer look at these two words to highlight the differences between them.

Figuratively

If you have studied figures of speech, which are used to lace up sentences and make them poetic, you know what the use of the word figuratively does to a sentence. It is an exaggeration and should not be taken literally or seriously. For example, if someone has been hurt by an act of someone they love deeply, and the idiom “split my heart down its seam” is used, it just helps to convey the intensity of pain or hurt and does not really mean that the heart has been torn apart. The word figuratively describes the exaggeration that has been used in the sentence and implies that this exaggeration should not be taken literally or in the strictest sense of the word.

Literally

Literally means really or true in the strictest sense of the word, and as such, the inclusion of this word adds to the weight of the statement and makes it truer in the eyes of the reader. It adds to the impact of the statement. Literally is not an exaggeration and is actually opposite to figuratively, as figuratively makes use of lyrical words to compare something with something else, which it is not. For example, if someone is described as having a complexion white like milk, it is spoken figuratively. On the other hand, “we would not have survived without the help from the UN, literally” is an example of the use of the word literally, emphasizing the importance of help from the UN.

Key Takeaways

• Figuratively is used to describe an exaggeration and should not be taken literally or in the strictest sense of the word.
• Literally means really or true in the strictest sense of the word and adds weight to a statement, making it truer in the eyes of the reader.
• It is essential to know the difference between literally and figuratively before using them in a sentence to avoid incorrect usage and potential embarrassment.