- [only before noun]
connected with literature 文学的；文学上的 literary criticism/theory 文学批评／理论
- [usually before noun]
(of a language or style of writing 语言或写作文体 suitable for or typical of a work of literature 适于文学作品的；有典型文学作品特征的 It was Chaucer who really turned English into a literary language. 是乔叟使英语真正变成了文学语言。 She was one of the great literary figures of her age. 她是那个时代一位了不起的文学家。
- [usually before noun]
liking literature very much; studying or writing literature 爱好文学的；从事文学研究（或写作）的 a literary man 文人
Word Originmid 17th cent. (in the sense ‘relating to the letters of the alphabet’): from Latin litterarius, from littera ‘letter of the alphabet’, (plural) ‘epistle, literature, culture’.