Is literal meaning conventional?

This paper argues that the literal meaning of words in a natural language is less conventional than usually assumed. Conventionality is defined in terms that are relative to reasons; norms that are determined by reasons are not conventions. The paper argues that in most cases, the literal meaning of words - as it applies to their definite extension - is not conventional. Conventional variations of meaning are typically present in borderline cases, of what I call the extension- range of literal meaning. Finally, some putative and one or two genuine exceptions are discussed.