literati

[ lit-uh-rah-tee ]

plural noun

, singular lit·e·ra·tus [lit-, uh, -, rah, -t, uh, s, ‐-, rey, ‐].

1. people engaged in literary pursuits, especially professional writers:

   The lounge at the Algonquin Hotel in New York City was a well-known haunt of the literati during the 1920s.

2. learned people and scholars considered as a class:

   university literati in their ivory tower.

literati

/ ˌlɪtəˈrɑːtiː /

plural noun

1. literary or scholarly people

Word History and Origins

Origin of literati¹

First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin līterāti, litterāti “learned, liberally educated people,” noun use of plural of līterātus, litterātus; literate

Word History and Origins

Origin of literati¹

C17: from Latin

Example Sentences

In our view, serious books were not just for the literati, but for anyone with a hunger for brilliant writing.

From The Daily Beast

Others have joined the literati, including one budding novelist, Nicolle Wallace.

From The Daily Beast

Long before she met Pinter, Fraser was a glittering member of the London literati.

From The Daily Beast

He had an extensive acquaintance with literati and politicians, which he sedulously cultivated.

From Project Gutenberg

He had a handsome office, and the literati, local and visiting, used to gather there.

From Project Gutenberg

These questions I heard proposed in a company of literati, when I inquired concerning this design of Warton.

From Project Gutenberg

He sought the acquaintance of the brilliant and the learned, presiding over a côterie of painters, sculptors, and literati.

From Project Gutenberg

Thomas--Kempis was but the forerunner of a race of distinguished literati.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• department
• institute
• personnel
• staff
• university