literati

plural noun

li·​te·​ra·​ti ˌli-tə-ˈrä-(ˌ)tē 

1

: the educated class

also : intelligentsia

2

: persons interested in literature or the arts

Synonyms of literati

• intelligentsia
• elite
• clerisy

Examples of literati in a Sentence

Boston's 19th-century literati often referred to their city as "the Athens of America"

Recent Examples on the Web

While the other literati tackled heavy topics, Plimpton’s engaging, conversational prose goofed around on the fringes of pro sports. —Stephen Siff, The Conversation, 26 Nov. 2025

While the Oscar-winning actor has a more low-key approach to the celebrity book club — her club operates sans fancy stickers, collaborations with booksellers, etc. — her mission reflects those of her peers in the A-list literati. —Emily St. Martin, Oc Register, 24 Sep. 2025

More than anything, what made it a Palladino night were the guests, an idiosyncratic mix only this couple could conjure: part Hollywood, part literati; part uptown, part downtown; old guard as well as new. —Jeanne Malle, Air Mail, 7 June 2025

The depictions of the New York literati scene, with its backbiting and wary camaraderie, are effective but all too brief. —Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

obsolete Italian litterati, from Latin, plural of litteratus

First Known Use

1620, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing literati

• the literati

Rhymes for literati

• gujarati
• vanaspati
• basmati
• bharati
• karate
• marathi
• dotty
• doughty
• draughty
• haughty
• knotty
• naughty