WordGarden.ioliterary
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /lˈɪtərəri/
US
- /ˈlɪtərˌɛri/
Meanings
Adjective
relating to literature, literary works, or the world of authors and writing
having the style or qualities of formal, artful writing rather than everyday speech
Beyond the definition
"Literary" describes something connected with literature, especially fiction, poetry, and drama that are valued for their quality, style, and ideas. It does not simply mean reading in general. It points to the art and skill in the writing itself. A "literary magazine," for example, is not full of celebrity gossip; it publishes short stories, poems, and essays with serious writing.
Think of a beautifully written sentence as "literary." You might describe a novel with rich language and deep themes as literary. You can also use the word for people or jobs closely tied to literature, such as a "literary critic" or a "literary agent."
The word "literary" covers things related to literature, especially written works that are valued as art. However, it usually implies more than the simple fact that something is written down. It often suggests quality, depth, and careful use of language. Something described as "literary" is often seen as thoughtful, expressive, and artistically strong.
You will encounter "literary" in several professional and academic contexts. A "literary analysis" involves carefully examining the themes, style, and deeper meaning of a text. A "literary agent" represents authors and helps get their work published. "Literary fiction" refers to novels and short stories that focus more on style, character, and ideas than on fast-moving plot or popular formulas.
Most often, the word is used for books, writing, and the world around them, but it can sometimes be extended to other art forms. For example, a film may be called literary if it has the depth, structure, or language-like richness often linked with novels. A person may also be described as literary if they are strongly interested in literature and spend a great deal of time reading, discussing, or working with serious writing.
Historically, "literate" means able to read and write, while "literary" developed to describe literature and the artistic side of writing. It is about engaging with the written word as an art form. Whether you are discussing a classic novel, analyzing a poem, or describing someone deeply involved in books, "literary" suggests a strong connection to the world of writing, imagination, and ideas.
Examples
- 1
Magazine writing
She writes reviews for a small literary magazine.
- 2
Fiction category
He prefers literary fiction to fast-moving thrillers.
- Phraseliterary fiction
fiction valued for style, ideas, and character more than plot
- 3
Academic study
The course covers modern literary criticism.
- 4
References
His novels are full of literary references that some readers may miss.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Formal tone
The phrase sounded too literary for a casual text message.
- Usageliterary
more like formal writing than everyday speech
- 6
Poetry class
The teacher asked us to find three literary devices in the poem.
- Phraseliterary device
a writing technique, such as a metaphor or symbol
- 7
Publishing career
After finishing her first novel, she sent it to several literary agents.
- Phraseliterary agent
someone who helps writers find publishers
See also
Similar
- literature-related
- belletristic
Shades of meaning
Contrast
- nonliterary
- colloquial
Used with (collocations)
- literary criticism
- literary fiction
- literary agent
- literary style
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- literaryadjective