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.
As an attempt to actually show both the necessity and difficulty of recovery, in a micro- and meta- sense, “The Bear” is an experiment that defies comparison.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 27, 2025
There’s a sort of meta- reading here, with Fey stepping in to pass the torch from Liz to Dawn.
From Slate • May 17, 2021
Metamorphic rocks, meta- meaning change and –morphos meaning form, is one of the three rock categories in the rock cycle.
From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2017
Experimental primary tumours may suppress outgrowth of micrometastases by preventing the induction of angiogenesis or by imposing DCC dormancy through secretion of meta- and ortho-tyrosine.
From Nature • Sep. 18, 2013
Ostiole: in Heteroptera, the openings at the sides of meso- and meta- thorax, through which an odoriferous fluid is excreted.
From Explanation of Terms Used in Entomology by Smith, John. B.
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.
