1. in a literal manner; exactly as stated without exaggeration or metaphor
2. used for emphasis, often with exaggeration
Usage: informal; sometimes considered nonstandard

Examples

• The recipe literally calls for two cups of flour.
• She literally translated the French text word for word.
• The house was literally falling apart at the seams.
• I literally jumped out of my skin when I heard the noise.
• He literally ran five miles this morning.
• The storm literally destroyed everything in its path.
• I was literally dying of laughter at his joke.