How to pronounce literal
Say it like LIT-uh-rul. Literal has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LIT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce literal. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- LIT
- uh
- rul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Literal pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- LITSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- rulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of literal
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: LIT-uh-rul.
What does literal mean?
- being or reflecting the essential or genuine character of something“her actual motive”“a literal solitude like a desert”
- without interpretation or embellishment“a literal depiction of the scene before him”
- limited to the explicit meaning of a word or text“a literal translation”
- a mistake in printed matter resulting from mechanical failures of some kind
Where does literal come from?
From Middle English literal, from Old French literal, from Late Latin litteralis or literalis (“of or pertaining to letters or to writing”), from Latin littera or litera (“a letter”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with literal
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of literal.
Words that sound like literal
Questions about saying literal
How do you pronounce literal?
Say LIT-uh-rul. The American pronunciation is /ˈlɪtərəl/. In British English it is /ˈlɪtərəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in literal?
Literal has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LIT). Broken into parts: LIT · uh · rul.
Is literal pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /ˈlɪtərəl/ (LIT-uh-rul).
What words sound the same as literal?
Literal sounds the same as littoral in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.