literary

lit·er·ar·y

Use literary in a sentence

adjective

The definition of literary is something connected to books or formal writing.

An example of literary used as an adjective is the phrase literary magazine, a magazine about writing.

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MLA Style

"literary." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 13 April 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Literary>.

APA Style

literary. (n.d.). Retrieved April 13th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Literary

literary

1. of, having the nature of, or dealing with literature
2. of or having to do with books or writing: literary agents
characterized by the more formal, balanced, and polished language of literature rather than the informal language of speech
1. familiar with or versed in literature
2. making literature a profession

Origin of literary

Classical Latin litterarius from littera, letter

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Link to this page

Cite this page

MLA Style

"literary." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 13 April 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Literary>.

APA Style

literary. (n.d.). Retrieved April 13th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Literary

literary

adjective

Of, relating to, or dealing with literature: literary criticism.
Of or relating to writers or the profession of literature: literary circles.
Versed in or fond of literature or learning.
a. Appropriate to literature rather than everyday speech or writing.
b. Bookish; pedantic.

Origin of literary

Latin litterārius of reading and writing from littera, lītera letter ; see letter .

Related Forms:

lit′er·ar′i·ly
adverb

lit′er·ar′i·ness
noun

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.