literary
/ˈlɪt(ə)ɹi/
It describes a relationship to the world of written art. When used as a category (e.g., "literary history"), it is neutral and academic, referring simply to the study or production of books. When describing a style of writing, it carries a connotation of sophistication and deliberation. It suggests a distance from everyday speech, favoring elegance, rhythm, and complexity over directness or simplicity. In some critical contexts, calling a work "too literary" can be a subtle criticism, implying that the writing is overly precious, artificial, or more concerned with its own beauty than with the story it tells.
💬Casual Conversation
Saw your note on the fridge. Very literary vibes from that shopping list.
It's literally just milk and eggs, Dad. Not some deep text.
Meanings
Concerning the writing, study, or critical evaluation of literature.
"She has a deep interest in literary criticism and 19th-century novels."
Characteristic of literature; using a style of writing that is formal, sophisticated, or poetic rather than colloquial.
"The author's literary style is marked by complex metaphors and an expansive vocabulary."
Collocations & Compounds
literary criticism
The analysis and evaluation of the study of literature.
Literary criticism helps us understand the deeper meanings in a novel.
literary device
A technique a writer uses to produce a specific effect.
Metaphor is a common literary device.
literary agent
A person who represents authors and their works to publishers.
She hired a literary agent to help sell her manuscript.
literary world
The community of people involved in writing, publishing, and appreciating literature.
He was a prominent figure in the literary world.
literary merit
The quality or value of a work of literature.
The judges debated the literary merit of the submitted poems.
Etymology
From Latin 'litterarius', meaning 'relating to letters or literature', derived from 'littera' meaning 'letter of the alphabet'. It entered English in the late 16th century, initially referring to elementary education in reading and writing, before evolving to its modern sense of pertaining to books and the art of writing.