Words / B1

LIT-uh-r-uh-ree/ˈlɪtərəri/

Literary means connected with books and the study of literature: a literary prize; literary language. Literature is the noun. Literal means the exact usual meaning — a common mix-up (literally is already in the dictionary at a higher level). Prizes: a literary prize for a council-estate story.

Meaning

Connected with books, writing, and the study of literature.

Examples

• “She won a literary prize for a story set on a council estate.”
• “A literary essay is not a science method write-up.”

Good to know

a literary prize / text / festival. Noun: literature. Mix-up: literal / literally. English exams / Arts Council. Not “literature prize” as the adjective.

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