Definition

A person who takes words in their most basic sense without metaphor or exaggeration, often focusing on the exact meaning of statements or texts.

Example

As a literalist, she interpreted the poem exactly as it was written, without looking for deeper meanings.

Conversation

Did you read that poem I shared with you?

Yeah, I did! But I think you might be a bit of a literalist when it comes to interpreting it.

Really? I thought I was just understanding it the way it was written.

I get that, but sometimes poems have deeper meanings beyond the literalist view.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Literalist → It is formed from "literal" (from Latin *literalis*, meaning of or belonging to letters) and "-ist" (meaning a person who practices or is concerned with). A literalist is a person who interprets words in their most basic sense without metaphor or exaggeration.

Memory Tip

Think of someone who focuses on the 'letters' ('literal') of a text, and the '-ist' indicates they are a person who adheres to that approach.

Visually Confused Words