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
Synonyms of literary
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
Stop by Book by the Banks to meet authors, hear literary discussions and find your next great read.
—Caroline Ritzie, Cincinnati Enquirer, 12 Nov. 2025
Sarah Jessica Parker balanced literary formality and her ongoing affection for crystal footwear at Clarence House on Monday, attending a reception for the Booker Prize judges and shortlisted authors in René Caovilla’s Taylor Pump 100.
—Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 11 Nov. 2025
In the past, literary and pop-culture-themed rooms have popped in hotels around the country — including designs that mimic Monica and Rachel's Friends apartment, an all-pink Barbie's Dream House room, a winter wonderland from Elf and a chocolate fantasy from Wonka.
—Sonal Dutt, PEOPLE, 10 Nov. 2025
In the matter of handmade placards—Magic Marker on cardboard, duct-taped to wooden yardsticks—there was a certain amount of politico-literary one-upmanship.
—Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for literary
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Caroline Ritzie, Cincinnati Enquirer, 12 Nov. 2025
Sarah Jessica Parker balanced literary formality and her ongoing affection for crystal footwear at Clarence House on Monday, attending a reception for the Booker Prize judges and shortlisted authors in René Caovilla’s Taylor Pump 100.
—Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 11 Nov. 2025
In the past, literary and pop-culture-themed rooms have popped in hotels around the country — including designs that mimic Monica and Rachel's Friends apartment, an all-pink Barbie's Dream House room, a winter wonderland from Elf and a chocolate fantasy from Wonka.
—Sonal Dutt, PEOPLE, 10 Nov. 2025
In the matter of handmade placards—Magic Marker on cardboard, duct-taped to wooden yardsticks—there was a certain amount of politico-literary one-upmanship.
—Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for literary
Cite this Entry
“Literary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/literary. Accessed 16 Nov. 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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