adj
meta
MEH-tuh
adj
1
Referring to itself or its own category — self-aware or self-referential in nature.
"The movie made a meta joke about its own sequel."
"Writing an essay about how to write essays feels very meta."
2
In gaming, describing a strategy, character, or item that is currently considered the most effective and widely used.
"That character became meta after the last balance update."
How to Use Meta
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSelf-referential (commenting on its own category), or, in gaming, "currently the best/most-used strategy".
Common pairings
a meta joke
the current meta
go meta
Word Forms
more meta comparative, metas plural, metae plural, most meta superlative
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Etymology
Borrowed as a stand-alone word from the prefix "meta-" (from Greek meta, "beyond, after, with"), used in words like metaphysics and metadata.