pertaining to or noting a story, conversation, character, etc., that consciously references or comments upon its own subject or features, often in the form of parody.
A movie about making a movie is just so meta—especially when the actors criticize the acting.
pertaining to or noting an abstract, high-level analysis or commentary, especially one that consciously references something of its own type.
a consciously and playfully self-referential story, conversation, etc..
That dialogue was an example of meta at its best.
an abstract, high-level analysis or commentary.
writing a meta to explain the character’s motivation.
a prefix appearing in loanwords from Greek, with the meanings “after,” “along with,” “beyond,” “among,” “behind,” and productive in English on the Greek model.
metacarpus; metagenesis.
a prefix added to the name of a subject and designating another subject that analyzes the original one but at a more abstract, higher level.
metaphilosophy; metalinguistics.
a prefix added to the name of something that consciously references or comments upon its own subject or features.
a meta-painting of an artist painting a canvas.
Chemistry.
(of acids, salts, or their organic derivatives) a prefix denoting the least hydrated of a series.
meta-antimonic, HSbO3;
meta-antimonous, HSbO2.
a prefix designating the meta position in the benzene ring. m-.
indicating change, alteration, or alternation
metabolism
metamorphosis
(of an academic discipline, esp philosophy) concerned with the concepts and results of the named discipline See also metatheory
metamathematics
meta-ethics
occurring or situated behind or after
metaphase
m-. (often in italics) denoting that an organic compound contains a benzene ring with substituents in the 1,3-positions Compare ortho- para- 1
metadinitrobenzene
meta-cresol
denoting an isomer, polymer, or compound related to a specified compound (often differing from similar compounds that are prefixed by para- )
metaldehyde
denoting an oxyacid that is a lower hydrated form of the anhydride or a salt of such an acid Compare ortho-
metaphosphoric acid
What does else meta mean? Meta is when something refers back to or is about itself, like a book about books or a meme about memes.
First recorded in 2010–15; adjective and noun use of meta- ( def. )
First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin mēta “cone, turning post”
First recorded in 1875–80; independent use of meta-
First recorded in 2010–15
From Greek, prefix and preposition; cognate with Old English mid “with,” German mit, Gothic mith
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Silicon Valley’s four hyperscalers—Microsoft, Meta Platforms, Amazon and Alphabet’s Google—together plan to spend as much as $670 billion this year on AI-related capital expenditures.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 19, 2026
By comparison, the Magnificent Seven—Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, Nvidia, Meta and Tesla—together make up roughly a third of the S&P 500.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 19, 2026
AFP reached out to Meta about the new product-promoting trend but did not receive a response.
From Barron's • Jun. 18, 2026
It comes after Meta and YouTube were found liable in March for intentionally making their products addictive and harming young people in the process.
From Slate • Jun. 18, 2026
One night a week she talked Eusie into giving Hebrew lessons, another night Meta taught Italian.
From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
