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
In addition to receiving his literary gifts with sometimes maddening innocence, rural Kansas made the pleasant discovery that Truman Capote’s personal characteristics are accented by an irrepressible capacity for enjoyment.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
Gopnik credits Kleinschmidt with considerable, if ponderous, insight laced with anecdotes, often inappropriately intimate, about his many famous literary and artistic patients.
—Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
This book overflows with literary references and sailing knowledge.
—The Know, Denver Post, 19 Oct. 2025
Known for its commitment to books with rural, communal and environmental themes, Red Dragonfly has been a part of Minnesota’s literary landscape for more than two decades.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for literary
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Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
Gopnik credits Kleinschmidt with considerable, if ponderous, insight laced with anecdotes, often inappropriately intimate, about his many famous literary and artistic patients.
—Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
This book overflows with literary references and sailing knowledge.
—The Know, Denver Post, 19 Oct. 2025
Known for its commitment to books with rural, communal and environmental themes, Red Dragonfly has been a part of Minnesota’s literary landscape for more than two decades.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 19 Oct. 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 23 Oct. 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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