adj
Uncommon
meta
MEH-tuh
Meta (adj) means referring to itself or its own category — self-aware or self-referential in nature. Example: “The movie made a meta joke about its own sequel.”
adj
1
Referring to itself or its own category — self-aware or self-referential in nature.
"The movie made a meta joke about its own sequel."
"Writing an essay about how to write essays feels very meta."
"The comedian's meta routine was about how hard it is to write a routine."
2
In gaming, describing a strategy, character, or item that is currently considered the most effective and widely used.
"That character became meta after the last balance update."
"Everyone in the lobby is playing the meta build, so the matches feel very similar."
"If you want to climb the ranks, learn the meta picks first."
How to use meta
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSelf-referential (commenting on its own category), or, in gaming, "currently the best/most-used strategy".
Common pairings
a meta joke
the current meta
go meta
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Word forms
- Plural
- metas, metae
- Comparative
- more meta
- Superlative
- most meta
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The movie made a _____ joke about its own sequel.
Etymology
Borrowed as a stand-alone word from the prefix "meta-" (from Greek meta, "beyond, after, with"), used in words like metaphysics and metadata.
Synonyms
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self-referential
self-aware
Related words
Rhymes for meta
See all rhymes for meta →Frequently asked questions
What does “meta” mean?
The word “meta” means referring to itself or its own category — self-aware or self-referential in nature. In plain terms, self-referential (commenting on its own category), or, in gaming, "currently the best/most-used strategy".
How do you pronounce “meta”?
“Meta” is pronounced MEH-tuh (/ˈmɛtə/ in IPA).
How do you use “meta” in a sentence?
Here is “meta” used in a sentence: “The movie made a meta joke about its own sequel.”
What part of speech is “meta”?
“Meta” is an adjective.
Where does the word “meta” come from?
The word “meta” comes from Greek. Borrowed as a stand-alone word from the prefix "meta-" (from Greek meta, "beyond, after, with"), used in words like metaphysics and metadata.
Is “meta” a common word?
“Meta” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “meta” have?
“Meta” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: referring to itself or its own category — self-aware or self-referential in nature.
What is the difference between meta and self-referential?
Meta and self-referential are closely related, both describing something that refers to itself or its own category. "Meta" is the more casual, everyday term, while "self-referential" is a more formal or technical way of describing the same concept, often used in academic or linguistic discussion.
What does meta mean in gaming?
In gaming, meta describes a strategy, character, or item that is currently considered the most effective and widely used within a game's community. A "meta build" or "meta pick" refers to choices that are dominant in competitive play at a given time.
How is meta used outside of gaming?
Outside gaming, meta is used as an adjective to describe something self-aware or self-referential, such as a joke about jokes or a movie that comments on its own genre conventions. This broader use has become common in everyday and online conversation.
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