meta
1 Americanadjective
-
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.
noun
-
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.
verb (used without object)
noun
plural
metaeadjective
noun
noun
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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.
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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.
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(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-.
-
prefix
-
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
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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
noun
Usage
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.
Etymology
Origin of meta1
First recorded in 2010–15; adjective and noun use of meta- ( def. )
Origin of meta2
First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin mēta “cone, turning post”
Origin of meta3
First recorded in 1875–80; independent use of meta-
Origin of meta4
First recorded in 2010–15
Origin of meta-6
From Greek, prefix and preposition; cognate with Old English mid “with,” German mit, Gothic mith
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In an affidavit, seen by the BBC, the messaging platform added that users could continue using the app even if they opted out of sharing data with Meta for advertising.
From BBC
The update drew criticism from users who said they felt compelled to accept terms they were uncomfortable with, noting it differed from the 2016 policy, which had allowed existing users to opt out of sharing data with Meta for advertising.
From BBC
A legal battle over WhatsApp's privacy policy began in March 2021 when the CCI ordered an investigation, alleging that Meta was engaging in "exploitative and exclusionary conduct".
From BBC
It said forcing users to share data with Meta companies allowed the firm to leverage WhatsApp's dominance in India to deny advertising access to rivals.
From BBC
In November 2024, the CCI fined Meta $25m for "abusing its dominant position" and ordered it and WhatsApp to implement behavioural remedies within three months.
From BBC
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.
