Standard Lemma guide

literariness

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

The property of being literary, either being a work of literature or knowledgeable of literature.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

Examples

  • His literariness helped him understand the obscure references in the book.
  • Its literariness kept the book in print for decades.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Etymology tree English literary Proto-Germanic *-inōną Proto-Indo-European *-dyé- Proto-Germanic *-atjaną Proto-Indo-European *-tus Proto-Germanic *-þuz Proto-Germanic *-assuz Proto-Germanic *-inassuz Proto-West Germanic *-nassī Old English -nes Middle English -nesse English -ness English literariness From literary + -ness.