The difference between Literal and Metaphorical

When used as adjectives, literal means exactly as stated, whereas metaphorical means pertaining to or characterized by a metaphor.

Literal is also noun with the meaning: a value, as opposed to an identifier, written into the source code of a computer program.

check bellow for the other definitions of Literal and Metaphorical

  1. Literal as an adjective:

    Exactly as stated; read or understood without additional interpretation; according to the letter or verbal expression; real; not figurative or metaphorical.

    Examples:

    "The literal translation is “hands full of bananas” but it means empty-handed."

  2. Literal as an adjective:

    Following the letter or exact words; not free; not taking liberties.

    Examples:

    "A literal reading of the law would prohibit it, but that is clearly not the intent."

  3. Literal as an adjective (uncommon):

    Consisting of, or expressed by, letters.

    Examples:

    "a literal equation"

  4. Literal as an adjective (of a person):

    Giving a strict or literal construction; unimaginative; matter-of-fact.

  1. Literal as a noun (programming):

    A value, as opposed to an identifier, written into the source code of a computer program.

    Examples:

    "synonyms: literal constant"

  2. Literal as a noun (logic):

    A propositional variable or the negation of a propositional variable.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resolution_%28logic%29]

  1. Metaphorical as an adjective:

    Pertaining to or characterized by a metaphor; figurative; symbolic.

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