literary
adjective
lit·er·ary
ˈli-tə-ˌrer-ē 
1
a
: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of humane learning or literature
a literary education
a literary institution
b
: bookish sense 2
an essay written in a very literary style
c
: of or relating to books
a literary agent
a literary manuscript
2
a
: well-read
he is literary, given to quoting to himself rather long stretches of remembered lines—
F. J. Hoffman
F. J. Hoffman
b
: of or relating to authors or scholars or to their professions
her literary biographies
Examples of literary in a Sentence
Do his books have any literary merit?
Mystery fiction is only one of many literary forms.
an essay written in a very literary style
The author uses many literary devices in his work.
He entered the literary world right out of college.
She hired a literary agent.
Recent Examples on the Web
And while listeners may leave the podcast with new literary insights, Breyer and Streich insist their primary goal is to make people laugh—sometimes at them rather than with them.
—Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024
Eve Babitz’s diary-like letters provide a window into her fellow literary titan, Joan Didion.
5.
—The California Independent Booksellers Alliance, Los Angeles Times, 11 Dec. 2024
Like many literary protagonists before her, Emily Ruff is an orphan who is recruited by representatives of a mysterious, exclusive boarding school.
—Tajja Isen, The Atlantic, 11 Dec. 2024
So pour yourself a glass of something special, browse the list, and find the perfect literary pairing for the wine lover in your life—or for yourself.
—Jessica Dupuy, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for literary 
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Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024
Eve Babitz’s diary-like letters provide a window into her fellow literary titan, Joan Didion.
5.
—The California Independent Booksellers Alliance, Los Angeles Times, 11 Dec. 2024
Like many literary protagonists before her, Emily Ruff is an orphan who is recruited by representatives of a mysterious, exclusive boarding school.
—Tajja Isen, The Atlantic, 11 Dec. 2024
So pour yourself a glass of something special, browse the list, and find the perfect literary pairing for the wine lover in your life—or for yourself.
—Jessica Dupuy, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for literary
Dictionary Entries Near literary
Cite this Entry
“Literary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/literary. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
literary
adjective
lit·er·ary
ˈlit-ə-ˌrer-ē
1
a
: of or relating to literature
b
2
: of or relating to writers or writing as a profession
literarily
adverb
ˌlit-ə-ˈrer-ə-lē
literariness
noun
ˈlit-ə-ˌrer-ē-nəs
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