Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

meta

adjective, prefix
/ˈmɛtə/
Definition
A prefix meaning ‘beyond’ or ‘transcending’, often used in academic and philosophical contexts.
Examples
  • The concept of ‘metacognition’ refers to the awareness and understanding of one’s own thought processes.
  • In a ‘meta-narrative’, the storytelling reflects on its own nature and structure.
Meaning
In a broader sense, ‘meta’ refers to a level of abstraction that goes beyond the ordinary, often involving self-reference or reflection on the nature of something.
Synonyms
  • beyond
  • transcendent
  • self-referential