lit ‧ e ‧ ra ‧ ry W2 /ˈlɪt ə rəri $ ˈlɪtəreri/ BrE AmE adjective [only before noun]
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ literature , ↑ literacy ≠ ↑ illiteracy , ↑ illiterate , ↑ literati ; adjective : ↑ literary , ↑ literate ≠ ↑ illiterate ]
[ Date: 1600-1700 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: litterarius , from littera ; ⇨ ↑ letter 1 ]
1 . relating to literature:
a literary prize
literary criticism (=the study of the methods used in writing literature)
2 . typical of the style of writing used in literature rather than in ordinary writing and talking:
a literary style of writing
3 . liking literature very much, and studying or producing it:
a literary woman