Dictionaries add informal definition of ‘literally’
Merriam-Webster, Macmillan and Google all say it’s all right to use “literally” to add emphasis to a statement or describe something figuratively. What do you think?
The correct definition of “literally” is to describe something in a literal sense and without exaggeration. But many people often use the word to do the opposite—add emphasis or describe something in a way that can’t possibly be true. For example:
But unfortunately for communicators, this informal use of “literally” is becoming more mainstream. It is used so often, in fact, that several dictionaries have added it as part of the word’s official definition. Google, Merriam-Webster and Macmillan Dictionary have all included this informal definition.
This is what Google’s entry looks like:
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