literature
literature — noun
1. books, stories, poems, and plays that people value as art because of their beaut
books, stories, poems, and plays that people value as art because of their beauty, imagination, or deep ideas, rather than for their facts or practical instructions.
In her literature class, Tamar read novels by authors from Japan and Brazil.
literature class + [country] authors
The professor asked the students to compare two works of modern European literature.
modern European literature
Many public libraries have a special area for children's literature.
Sayaka enjoys nineteenth-century Russian literature, especially the novels of Dostoevsky.
- classical literature
- modern literature
- contemporary literature
- children's literature
- English literature
- French literature
- world literature
- nonfiction
writing that presents facts rather than artistic imagination
Grammar Patterns
literature + of + language/place/period
literature + modifier (modern/classical/children's)
Usage Note
Often paired with a language, country, or period name (e.g. Japanese literature, Victorian literature). It is uncountable — refer to a single item as a work of literature or a literary work.
Common Mistakes
2. the collection of published writings, research reports, and articles by experts
the collection of published writings, research reports, and articles by experts that deal with a particular subject.
The doctor reviewed the latest medical literature before choosing a treatment.
medical literature + verb review/search
Adisa searched for literature on sustainable farming methods for his research paper.
A strong literature review shows what earlier studies have already discovered.
literature review
The growing body of literature on artificial intelligence covers both ethics and engineering.
- medical literature
- scientific literature
- research literature
- literature review
- literature on
- existing literature
- relevant literature
- research
focuses on investigation and findings rather than the published writings themselves
- publications
broader — includes any published material, not just by experts
- scholarship
formal; emphasises academic quality and method
Grammar Patterns
literature + on/about + topic
literature review
Usage Note
Typically followed by on or about + topic (e.g. literature on climate change). The compound noun literature review is extremely common in academic English and refers to a section of a research paper that summarises existing studies.
Common Mistakes
3. printed materials such as leaflets, brochures, or newsletters that a company or
printed materials such as leaflets, brochures, or newsletters that a company or organization produces to advertise its products, services, or opinions.
The travel agency sent us some literature about holiday packages in Thailand.
literature about [destination/product]
Tariq picked up some literature about solar panels at the home improvement fair.
The bank's literature explains the different types of savings accounts it offers.
bank's literature + explains products
Niran asked the real estate agent for literature about apartments for rent.
- promotional literature
- sales literature
- product literature
- company literature
- marketing literature
- brochures
refers specifically to small booklets
- leaflets
refers to single-sheet printed materials
- promotional material
broader term that includes both print and digital formats
Grammar Patterns
literature + about/on + product/topic
Usage Note
Uncountable even here — you cannot say literatures in this sense. In modern business English, the term can also refer to digital brochures and PDFs, not only printed sheets.
Common Mistakes
4. the activity or profession of writing novels, poems, plays, or other creative wo
the activity or profession of writing novels, poems, plays, or other creative works as a paid career or serious artistic pursuit.
After retiring from teaching, Élise decided to devote herself to literature.
devote oneself to literature
Rin hopes to earn a living through literature after finishing her first novel.
Brian chose a career in literature because he loved telling stories since childhood.
career in literature
Ignacio left his accounting job to pursue a career in literature.
- a life of literature
- devote oneself to literature
- enter literature
- pursue literature
- writing
broader and less formal; includes journalism and technical writing
- authorship
formal; emphasises being the creator of a written work
Grammar Patterns
pursue/devote oneself to + literature
earn a living through + literature
Usage Note
Less common in everyday speech than sense 1. This sense treats literature as a job or vocation rather than as the body of written works. Students of creative writing and literary criticism are the most likely users.