Phrase guide

literary fiction

noun · 2 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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  • Received-Pronunciation: /ˈlɪt(ə)ɹəɹi ˌfɪk(t)ʃən/
  • Received-Pronunciation: /ˈlɪt(ə)ɹi ˌfɪk(t)ʃən/
  • General-American: /ˈlɪt(ə)ɹɛɹi ˌfɪk(t)ʃən/

1

noun

Meaning 1

Any work of fiction regarded as having literary merit.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

Examples

  • I don't think "A is for Apple" qualifies as literary fiction.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: popular fiction

2

noun

Meaning 2

Fiction lacking speculative elements and centred on character and theme.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

Examples

  • While she usually reads science fiction, she also enjoys literary fiction.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: speculative fiction, genre fiction

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

10 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Dutch: literaire fictie — fiction of high artistic quality
  • French: littérature blanche — fiction of high artistic quality
  • French: littérature générale — fiction of high artistic quality
  • Hungarian: szépirodalom — fiction of high artistic quality
  • Polish: literatura piękna — fiction of high artistic quality
  • Spanish: ficción literaria — fiction of high artistic quality
  • Spanish: ficción seria — fiction of high artistic quality
  • Spanish: alta literatura — fiction of high artistic quality
  • Spanish: literatura artística — fiction of high artistic quality
  • Spanish: ficción de no-género — fiction of high artistic quality