meta

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".

“Meta” is pronounced MEH-tuh (/ˈmɛtə/ in IPA).

Here is “meta” used in a sentence: “The movie made a meta joke about its own sequel.”

“Meta” is an adjective.

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.

“Meta” is an uncommon word in modern English.

“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.

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.

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.

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.