literati: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal / Literary
Quick answer
What does “literati” mean?
A collective term for well-educated people who are interested in and knowledgeable about literature and intellectual topics.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A collective term for well-educated people who are interested in and knowledgeable about literature and intellectual topics.
Often refers to a cultural elite or a social class of intellectuals, writers, and critics, sometimes perceived as a closed circle or a group with its own tastes and standards.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage.
Connotations
May carry a slightly stronger connotation of old-fashioned or traditional scholarship in British English.
Frequency
Equally rare in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “literati” in a Sentence
The + [national/local] + literatiAmong/within + the literatiVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in literary criticism, cultural studies, and history to describe intellectual groups.
Everyday
Extremely rare; would sound pretentious.
Technical
Not a technical term.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “literati”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “literati”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “literati”
- Using it as a singular noun ('He is a literati').
- Confusing it with 'illiterati' (a humorous or archaic antonym).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a plural noun. There is no common singular form in modern English. Avoid saying 'a literati'.
They are very close synonyms. 'Intelligentsia' can be broader, encompassing all intellectuals, while 'literati' specifically emphasises a connection to literature and the arts.
It is neutral in definition but is often used with a slightly critical or ironic tone to suggest elitism or snobbery.
It is a very formal, literary word. Using it in casual conversation would likely sound pretentious or humorous.
A collective term for well-educated people who are interested in and knowledgeable about literature and intellectual topics.
Literati is usually formal / literary in register.
Literati: in British English it is pronounced /ˌlɪtəˈrɑːti/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌlɪtəˈrɑːti/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Café society and the literati”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'LITERature' + 'TI' (like a fancy plural ending) = people who are really into literature.
Conceptual Metaphor
INTELLECTUALS ARE A (POSSIBLY ELITIST) SOCIAL CIRCLE / CLUB.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'literati' correctly?