# literature

/ˈɫɪtɝətʃɝ/ (US) · /lˈɪtɹɪtʃɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/literature
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. creative writing

noun · CEFR B1

books, poems, and plays that are considered to be art or have great value.

For teachers: written works, such as fiction, poetry, and drama, that are regarded as having lasting artistic merit or cultural value.

- She decided to study English literature because she loved reading classic novels.
- The course provides a comprehensive overview of Victorian literature, focusing on how industrialisation influenced the narrative structures of the era's major novels.

### 2. academic research

noun · CEFR B2 · Academic

all the books and articles written by experts about a specific subject.

For teachers: the body of published work, including treatises and journal articles, related to a specific field of study or research topic.

- Before starting his experiment, he spent weeks reading the literature on plant growth.
- A thorough review of the existing literature reveals a significant gap in our understanding of how these specific proteins interact under high pressure.

Usage: Often used with the definite article as 'the literature'.

### 3. leaflets or brochures

noun · CEFR B1

printed information like leaflets or booklets that explain a product or service.

For teachers: printed matter, such as brochures, circulars, or leaflets, used to provide information or advertise a service.

- The travel agent gave us some literature about holidays in Greece.
- The sales team distributed promotional literature to every attendee, ensuring that the technical specifications of the new software were clearly documented.

## Examples

- She studies English literature at the local university.
- The professor asked the students to review the existing literature on climate change before starting their research.
- While some critics focus on the historical context of the text, others argue that great literature should be evaluated solely on its internal aesthetic merits.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.