literalness

[/ˈlɪtərəlnəs/]

nounfeminine

literalidade

1. The quality or state of being literal; adherence to the exact words or meaning without interpretation or embellishment

The literalness of his interpretation left no room for metaphor or symbolism.

A literalidade de sua interpretação não deixou espaço para metáfora ou simbolismo.

2. The tendency to understand or interpret words in their most basic or dictionary definition rather than in a figurative or abstract sense

His literalness made it difficult for him to appreciate poetry and artistic expression.

Sua literalidade dificultou a compreensão de poesia e expressão artística.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Regional Variations

General Brazilian

literalidade

most common usage

São Paulo

literalidade

standard usage in formal contexts

Portugal

literalidade

standard European Portuguese equivalent

take something at face value

read something word for word

stick to the letter of the law

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