literary Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective of or relating to or characteristic of literature
    • literary criticism
  2. adjective satellite knowledgeable about literature
    • a literary style
  3. adjective satellite appropriate to literature rather than everyday speech or writing
    • when trying to impress someone she spoke in an affected literary style

WordNet

Lit"er*a*ry adjective
Etymology
L. litterarius, literarius,fr. littera, litera, a letter: cf. F. littéraire. See Letter.
Definitions
  1. Of or pertaining to letters or literature; pertaining to learning or learned men; as, literary fame; a literary history; literary conversation.
    He has long outlived his century, the term commonly fixed as the test of literary merit. Johnson.
  2. Versed in, or acquainted with, literature; occupied with literature as a profession; connected with literature or with men of letters; as, a literary man.
    In the literary as well as fashionable world. Mason.
    - e.g. a copyright

Webster 1913