noun

metadata

MET-uh-day-tuh

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Metadata (noun) means Information that describes other data, such as the date a photo was taken, the author and word count of a document, or the title and duration of a track. Example: “Strip the metadata from the image before you post it, or it may show where you live.”

noun

Information that describes other data, such as the date a photo was taken, the author and word count of a document, or the title and duration of a track.

"Strip the metadata from the image before you post it, or it may show where you live."

"The library catalogue is really just metadata about books."

In communications and surveillance, the record of who contacted whom, when and for how long, as distinct from the content of the message.

"The agency collected call metadata rather than recordings."

technical Information placed in a web page's code to tell search engines and social platforms what the page is about, such as the title tag and meta description.

"Good page metadata improves how the link looks when it is shared."

How to use metadata

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishInformation that describes a file, such as who made it and when.

When to use it

Technical but now widely understood; treated as a mass noun taking a singular verb in most modern writing.

Memory tip

Most style guides now write "the metadata is incomplete", treating it as uncountable, though "metadata are" survives in academic prose.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

data → EXIF tags

Common pairings

strip the metadata metadata fields EXIF metadata call metadata

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Strip the _____ from the image before you post it, or it may show where you live.

Etymology

From Greek meta 'beyond, about' plus data, the plural of Latin datum 'something given'.

Origin: Greek

Synonyms

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descriptive data data about data tags

Related words

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Rhymes for metadata

ATA kata mata Tata Lata Data Ogata Plata piñata strata sonata Renata

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Frequently asked questions

What is metadata in simple terms?

It is data about data. A song file holds the music; its metadata holds the artist, album, year and length.

What is the difference between data and metadata?

Data is the content itself, such as the text of an email or the pixels of a photo. Metadata is the surrounding description: sender, timestamp, file size, camera model. Metadata alone can still be very revealing.

How do I remove metadata from a photo?

Most phones and operating systems offer an option to strip location and other details when sharing, and image editors can save a copy without EXIF data. Uploading to some social platforms also removes it, but do not rely on that.

What is the meaning of metadata?

"metadata" (noun) means information that describes other data, such as the date a photo was taken, the author and word count of a document, or the title and duration of a track.

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