subliterature

noun

sub·​lit·​er·​a·​ture ˌsəb-ˈli-tə-rə-ˌchu̇r 

-ˈli-trə-ˌchu̇r,

-ˈli-tər-ˌchu̇r,

-ˈli-tə-ˌchu̇r,

-chər,

-ˌtyu̇r,

-ˌtu̇r

: popular writing (such as mystery or adventure stories) considered inferior to standard literature

Word History

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined above