This is going to give grammarians a headache , literalists a migraine and language nerds a nervous breakdown . The definition of literally is no longer the literal definition of literally . Gizmodo has discovered Google 's definition for literally includes this : `` Used to acknowledge that something is not literally true but is used for emphasis or to express strong feeling . '' But it does n't end with Google . Merriam-Wesbter and Cambridge dictionaries have also added the informal , non-literal definition . So what 's the deal ? Funky words make it into the dictionary . Next thing they 'll be telling us that there 's no ham in hamburger , no egg in eggplant , a boxing ring is n't round and tennis shoes are n't just for tennis . We 're literally over it . Hooray for Dictionary.com , which has bucked the trend but includes the info in an editor 's note below the definition . Dictionary finally acknowledges humans can tweet , too . `` The use is often criticized ; nevertheless , it appears in all but the most carefully edited writing . '' ( Reader : insert your own joke here )
Dictionaries now include a definition of literally that is n't literal . Literally can be used to express a strong feeling , dictionaries say . Merriam-Webster , Cambridge and Google agree . Dictionary.com notes the exception .