What does nonliterary mean?
Nonliterary means not literary: outside the field of literature, its established conventions, or its characteristic ways of writing and presentation. It may describe subjects such as history, law, or science; source materials such as letters, records, or technical documents; or writing whose style is plain and functional rather than poetic or aesthetically literary. The term is especially common in academic and educational contexts, where literature is distinguished from other areas of knowledge and communication. It can also mean that a work is not based on a literary source. Nonliterary should not be confused with nonfiction: nonfiction is defined by its factual subject matter, while nonliterary is defined by its relationship to literature. Although understandable in context, the word is more typical of formal criticism and scholarship than casual conversation.
adjectiveNot literary, or connected with subjects, materials, or activities outside literary works and the study of literature.
- Not belonging to or concerned with literature.
- Not based on, or not written in the manner of, a literary work.
"The course combines an appreciation of poetry with practical instruction in nonliterary writing."
"Historians must interpret official documents alongside other nonliterary evidence."
"The adaptation abandoned the novel's literary language in favor of a plainer, nonliterary style."
Nonliterary is the adjective for everything literature leaves beyond its own pages—and that includes much of everyday communication.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does nonliterary come from?
Nonliterary was formed in English by combining the negative prefix non- with literary. Literary ultimately derives from literature, which comes from Latin literatura, meaning “learning” or “letters,” from the stem of littera, “letter” or “writing.” The prefixed adjective became especially useful in academic discussion as people distinguished the study and practice of literature from other fields and forms of writing.
How nonliterary is actually used
The word is formal and relatively uncommon in everyday speech. It is often written with a hyphen when it appears before another noun, as in “non-literary sources,” although closed spelling is also accepted.
Easily confused with nonliterary
Nonfiction describes writing or other material whose subject matter is factual, whereas nonliterary means outside literature as a genre or field of study.