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0 English - Monolingual Dictionary

Literary

ˈlɪdəˌrɛri
Very common
~ 2400
~ 2400, Very common
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
Related to literature or writing, Elegant or elaborate in style, language, or expression, Associated with or typical of the world of literature and writing

Literary - Meanings

Related to literature or writing

Example: She has a deep appreciation for literary works from the Romantic period.
Usage: formalContext: academic discussions, literary analysis
Note: This is the most common meaning of 'literary' and is often used in the context of discussing books, poetry, or other written works.

Elegant or elaborate in style, language, or expression

Example: The author's prose is known for its literary richness and complexity.
Usage: formalContext: literary criticism, reviews
Note: This meaning of 'literary' is used to describe writing that is sophisticated, refined, or artistically crafted.

Associated with or typical of the world of literature and writing

Example: The literary community gathered to celebrate the release of a new novel.
Usage: formal or informalContext: book clubs, author events
Note: This meaning of 'literary' is often used to refer to events, groups, or discussions related to literature and writing.

Literary's synonyms

literary

Relating to literature or writing that is considered to be well-written and possessing literary merit.
Example: She has a deep appreciation for literary works.
Note: The word 'literary' specifically refers to works of literature or writing.

artistic

Relating to art or creative expression, often associated with beauty and skill.
Example: The painting displayed in the museum is a true artistic masterpiece.
Note: While 'literary' refers to written works, 'artistic' encompasses a broader range of creative expressions including visual arts, music, and more.

poetic

Characterized by beauty, rhythm, and emotional expression, often associated with poetry.
Example: His speech was filled with poetic language that captivated the audience.
Note: Similar to 'literary,' 'poetic' is more specific and often used to describe language or writing that is particularly expressive and lyrical.

prose

Written or spoken language in its ordinary form, without metrical structure, often used for storytelling or communication.
Example: The novel is written in a beautiful prose that flows effortlessly.
Note: While 'literary' can refer to any form of well-written literature, 'prose' specifically denotes the ordinary form of language used in writing.

Literary expressions, common phrases

Literary criticism

The analysis and evaluation of literary works, often focusing on aspects such as style, structure, themes, and symbolism.
Example: The literary criticism of the novel focused on its themes and characterization.
Note: This phrase specifically refers to the evaluation and interpretation of literature, rather than just the general concept of literature itself.

Literary masterpiece

A work of literature that is considered outstanding in terms of its quality, creativity, and lasting impact.
Example: Many consider 'Pride and Prejudice' to be a literary masterpiece due to its enduring popularity and profound themes.
Note: While 'literary' refers to anything related to literature, a 'literary masterpiece' specifically highlights exceptional quality and significance.

Literary device

A technique or tool used by writers to convey meaning, create effects, and enhance their writing, such as metaphor, simile, or irony.
Example: The author used the literary device of foreshadowing to create suspense in the story.
Note: In this context, 'literary' is used to describe the tools and techniques employed by writers to enhance their work.

Literary genre

A category or type of literature characterized by specific themes, styles, and conventions, such as romance, mystery, or fantasy.
Example: Science fiction is a popular literary genre that explores futuristic concepts and technologies.
Note: This phrase refers to the categorization of literature based on shared characteristics and themes, rather than just the broad concept of literature.

Literary analysis

The process of examining and interpreting elements of a literary work to better understand its structure, themes, and techniques.
Example: The students were tasked with conducting a literary analysis of the poem to uncover its deeper meanings.
Note: While 'literary' pertains to literature in general, 'literary analysis' specifically involves a detailed examination and interpretation of literary works.

Literary figure

A person who has made significant contributions to literature through their writing, criticism, or influence on the literary world.
Example: Shakespeare is a prominent literary figure whose works continue to influence literature and culture.
Note: This phrase highlights individuals who have had a substantial impact on literature, as opposed to just referring to the general concept of literature.

Literary symbol

An object, character, or element within a literary work that represents a deeper meaning or concept beyond its literal interpretation.
Example: The white whale in 'Moby Dick' serves as a literary symbol of obsession and vengeance.
Note: While 'literary' relates to literature, a 'literary symbol' specifically denotes elements within a text that carry symbolic significance.

Literary work

Any written work that is considered to have artistic or intellectual value, such as novels, poems, plays, or essays.
Example: Jane Austen's novels are considered timeless literary works that explore themes of love and society.
Note: This phrase encompasses any written work that is valued for its artistic or intellectual content, distinguishing it from everyday writing or communication.

Literary everyday (slang) expressions

Lit

Lit is commonly used to describe something as exciting, excellent, or impressive.
Example: That book is so lit, I couldn't put it down.
Note: While 'lit' comes from 'literature,' its slang usage has evolved to mean something different from just literary meaning related to books or writing.

Bookworm

Bookworm is slang for a person who loves to read books and spends a lot of time reading.
Example: She's a total bookworm, always reading something new.
Note: While 'bookworm' relates to reading, it is more casual and colloquial than the formal term 'literary enthusiast.'

Page-turner

A page-turner is a book that is so engaging or suspenseful that it compels you to keep reading quickly.
Example: I just finished reading a real page-turner; I couldn't wait to see what happened next.
Note: While 'page-turner' is about a captivating read, it focuses more on the gripping story than on the literary quality of the writing.

Bibliophile

A bibliophile is someone who collects or loves books, often possessing a large collection of them.
Example: He's a true bibliophile, with bookshelves lined from floor to ceiling.
Note: While 'bibliophile' has a connotation of deep appreciation for books, it is more specific and intense than just being 'interested in literature.'

Bookish

Bookish describes someone who enjoys reading or studying, often appearing scholarly or thoughtful.
Example: She has a bookish demeanor, always lost in thought.
Note: While 'bookish' conveys a connection to books and learning, it emphasizes a specific characteristic or behavior rather than a general interest in literature.

Novelty

Novelty, in this context, refers to something new, original, or unique, often in the form of literary works or genres.
Example: I've been exploring some novels for novelty lately; it's refreshing to read different genres.
Note: While 'novelty' can relate to newness in any context, in the literary sense, it specifically refers to fresh and innovative aspects of books.

Whodunit

Whodunit is a term used for a mystery or detective novel where the main focus is on solving a crime or identifying the perpetrator.
Example: I love a good whodunit mystery novel, trying to guess the culprit before the end.
Note: While 'whodunit' focuses on the mystery genre, it is a more informal and playful way to refer to detective fiction compared to the broader term 'literary mystery.'

Literary - Examples

The book has great literary value.
She is an expert in literary criticism.
The movie adaptation failed to capture the irodalmi jellegű nuances of the novel.

Literary grammar

Literary - Adjective (Adjective) / Adjective (Adjective)
Lemma: literary
Conjugations
Adjective (Adjective): literary
Syllabification and Stress
literary Contains 3 syllables: lit • er • ary
Phonetic transcription: ˈli-tə-ˌrer-ē
lit er ary , ˈli ˌrer ē (The red syllable is stressed)

Literary - Importance and usage frequency

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.
literary: ~ 2400 (Very common).
This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.