literally

英 ['lɪt(ə)rəlɪ] 美['lɪtərəli]

反义词

CET4IELTS考研TOEFL畅通词汇TEM8CET6中低频词

literally (adv.): 1530s, "in a literal sense," from literal + -ly (2). Erroneously used in reference to metaphors, hyperbole, etc., even by writers like Dryden and Pope, to indicate "what follows must be taken in the strongest admissible sense" (1680s), which is opposite to the word's real meaning and a long step down the path to the modern misuse of it.
We have come to such a pass with this emphasizer that where the truth would require us to insert with a strong expression 'not literally, of course, but in a manner of speaking', we do not hesitate to insert the very word we ought to be at pains to repudiate; ... such false coin makes honest traffic in words impossible. [Fowler, 1924]

1. Until next payday, I was literally without any money.: 到下个发薪日前，我真的没有一点儿钱了。

2. To see my body literally wither away before my eyes was exasperating.: 眼见自己的身体日渐衰弱真是让人心烦。

3. Windsor Castle is quite literally an antique treasure trove.: 温莎城堡确实是名副其实的古物宝藏。

4. If we did all the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.: 如果把我们能做到的都做了，最终连我们自己都会被吓到。