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
Pearl explores the relationship between cultural prizes and ideas of nationhood, as well as imposter syndrome and external validation, like MFAs, literary awards, and being seen writing in coffeeshops by and with other writers.
—Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 8 Jan. 2026
View Outside’s longstanding literary storytelling tradition comes to life in audio with features that will both entertain and inform listeners.
—Outside Online, 7 Jan. 2026
The free event will celebrate Austen’s literary work.
—Pomerado News, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
The story of Quichotte’s quest is being written, in alternating chapters, by Sam DuChamp, a mid-list spy novelist making his first foray into literary fiction.
—Erin Somers, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for literary
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Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 8 Jan. 2026
View Outside’s longstanding literary storytelling tradition comes to life in audio with features that will both entertain and inform listeners.
—Outside Online, 7 Jan. 2026
The free event will celebrate Austen’s literary work.
—Pomerado News, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
The story of Quichotte’s quest is being written, in alternating chapters, by Sam DuChamp, a mid-list spy novelist making his first foray into literary fiction.
—Erin Somers, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for literary
Cite this Entry
“Literary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/literary. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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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