literary UK /ˈlɪt.(ə.)ɹə.ɹi/US /ˈlɪt.əˌɹɛɹ.i/ adjective5 •Relating to literature.He has long outlived his century, the term commonly fixed as the test of literary merit. — 1768 •Relating to writers, or the profession of literature. •Appropriate to literature rather than everyday writing. •Knowledgeable of literature or writing. •Bookish. formsmore literary · most literary