Literary describes things related to written works, especially those considered art, like novels, poems, and plays. It can also mean having a style or quality similar to serious or artistic writing.
It comes from Latin “litterārius,” meaning “concerned with letters or learning,” from “littera,” letter. The meaning narrowed from general learning to the art of written works.
Calling something “literary” often suggests it’s meant to be reread, not just consumed once and forgotten. Literary writing hides layers of meaning, so a single sentence can feel different each time you come back to it.
The literary canon in many languages has historically centered male authors and marginalized or excluded women and gender-diverse writers. ‘Literary’ value judgments have sometimes been used to dismiss genres and topics associated with women as less serious.
When discussing ‘literary’ works, include authors of diverse genders and be explicit about canon formation and historical exclusion. Avoid implying that genres popular with women are inherently less literary.
["related to literature","textual","narrative-focused"]
Women and nonbinary authors have been central to many literary movements, from early novelists like Jane Austen to contemporary experimental writers, even when critics initially dismissed their work.
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