Literally and figuratively are two different words that are often used interchangeably.1 Literally means “actually” or “exactly,” while figuratively means “not literally, not really.” Figuratively involves a figure of speech or of nature in the English language and refers to a hyperbolic meaning or symbolic meaning of a term or phrase.0 Literally lets the reader or listener know that you’re not using a metaphor and wants them to apply the actual, non-metaphorical meaning of the words you’re using.2 Voltaire was speaking figuratively when he described Canada as “a few acres of snow.”