English pronunciation · Words Starting with L

Literary Pronunciation

Literary is pronounced LI-ter-e-ree, IPA /ˈlɪtɝˌɛri/.

LI-ter-e-ree

US /ˈlɪtɝˌɛri/  ·  UK /ˈlɪtərəri/

Syllables: LI · ter · e · ree (4 syllables, stress on syllable 1)

adjective: Concerning books and writing, especially writing regarded as art.

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Literary in a Sentence

  • Her literary executor controls the unpublished work.
  • The prize is the biggest literary award in the country.
  • He has no literary ambitions at all.

Common Mispronunciations of Literary

Not li-TE-ruh-ree

LI at the front is the only loud beat, and the three behind it stay flat.

Not LY-ter-e-ree

Lit, not light: the opening vowel stays short, and nothing in this word takes the eye of my.

Tip: British speakers usually compress it to three beats, LI-truh-ree, while Americans keep four.

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