Difference between figuratively and literally examples
Answers
Literally is an adjective that means “actually, without exaggeration.” In best usage, it should only be used when you are speaking about something in an exact sense. For example,
I made a literal translation of this essay.
I told him to go jump off a cliff; I hope he didn’t take me literally.
Figuratively is also an adjective, but its meaning is quite different from literally. Figuratively is defined as based on or making use of figures of speech; metaphorical. So while literally means free from any metaphor or allegory, figurative deals specifically with these kinds of figures of speech. For example,
She broke the figurative ceiling that was holding her back.
I could figuratively eat an entire cow right now.
in short
Literally means word for word and means in an exact sense. It should not be used loosely as an intensifier.
Figuratively has the exact opposite meaning of literally and means in an analogous, but not exact, sense.