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
Tomorrow Bookstore hosts a variety of literary, art and community events, including four book clubs, a weekly local author pop-up and more.
—American Booksellers Association, USA Today, 14 June 2025
In the first literary exploration of the 95-year-old actor-director’s career, Levy examines Eastwood’s cinematic milestones and personal flaws (and his old-school Libertarian beliefs) in equal measure.
—Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 14 June 2025
There are also bookish challenges to complete, like watching a book-to-screen adaption, listening to a literary podcast or finding a National Book Award honoree in a display at a bookstore.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 13 June 2025
Because, as the texts and accounts filter down through the literary tradition, Briseis—or Briseida—starts to fuse with another Homeric woman: Chryseis, enslaved by Agamemnon, and Briseis’ counterpart in the Greek leaders’ quarrel.
—Literary Hub, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for literary
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American Booksellers Association, USA Today, 14 June 2025
In the first literary exploration of the 95-year-old actor-director’s career, Levy examines Eastwood’s cinematic milestones and personal flaws (and his old-school Libertarian beliefs) in equal measure.
—Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 14 June 2025
There are also bookish challenges to complete, like watching a book-to-screen adaption, listening to a literary podcast or finding a National Book Award honoree in a display at a bookstore.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 13 June 2025
Because, as the texts and accounts filter down through the literary tradition, Briseis—or Briseida—starts to fuse with another Homeric woman: Chryseis, enslaved by Agamemnon, and Briseis’ counterpart in the Greek leaders’ quarrel.
—Literary Hub, 13 June 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 18 Jun. 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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