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
Some of Werfel’s friends thought that this metamorphosis had ruined his literary gift.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025
There are also plans for an expansion of The Cabin literary organization, a new plaza and connections to the Boise River Greenbelt.
—Nick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 3 Feb. 2025
The two men suffered nearly fatal injuries within months of each other: Rushdie was stabbed onstage at a literary festival in August 2022 and has lost sight in one eye and the use of one hand.
—Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2025
The film, a sequined hat on a hat on a hat, can feel a bit overburdened by literary allusions.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 2 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for literary 
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Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025
There are also plans for an expansion of The Cabin literary organization, a new plaza and connections to the Boise River Greenbelt.
—Nick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 3 Feb. 2025
The two men suffered nearly fatal injuries within months of each other: Rushdie was stabbed onstage at a literary festival in August 2022 and has lost sight in one eye and the use of one hand.
—Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2025
The film, a sequined hat on a hat on a hat, can feel a bit overburdened by literary allusions.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 2 Feb. 2025
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 16 Feb. 2025.
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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