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

b

: of or relating to authors or scholars or to their professions

her literary biographies

literarily

ˌli-tə-ˈrer-ə-lē 

adverb

literariness

ˈli-tə-ˌrer-ē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of literary

• learned
• intellectual
• academic
• bookish
• scholastic
• erudite

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

Other simple positive actions include attending events with writers at local bookstores, getting involved with and supporting the local library or literary arts center, and sharing the joy of reading with the people in our lives. — Jen Benka, Time, 14 July 2026

The Shards could similarly prove to be a sensationalized and provocative romp, given the tone of the source material and the general vibe of both Ellis’ literary works and Murphy’s shows. — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 14 July 2026

Daily Fiction By Sophie Mackintosh The following is a story by Sophie Mackintosh from the new issue of Kismet, a new literary magazine offering a fresh perspective on spirituality, religion, and mysticism for seekers and skeptics alike. — Literary Hub, 13 July 2026

Buchwald is based in Los Angeles and New York, representing talent with departments across film, television, theater, literary, content creators, animation, voiceover, sports, podcasting, publishing, commercial, broadcast and branding and digital. — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 13 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing literary

• anti-literary
• literary agent
• literary executor
• pre-literary

Rhymes for literary

• accessary
• adversary
• ancillary
• apiary
• arbitrary
• aviary
• axillary
• bacillary
• beriberi
• bestiary
• breviary
• budgetary

Kids Definition

literary

adjective

lit·​er·​ary ˈlit-ə-ˌrer-ē 

1

a

: of or relating to literature

b

: bookish sense 2

2

: of or relating to writers or writing as a profession

literarily

ˌlit-ə-ˈrer-ə-lē

adverb

literariness

ˈlit-ə-ˌrer-ē-nəs

noun