meta
Thinking about thinking
Meta describes something that refers to or comments on itself—a meta joke is a joke about jokes, a meta movie is a film about filmmaking.
The term comes from Greek meaning "after" or "beyond," but in contemporary usage it signals self-reference or self-awareness: The show got very meta in its final season.
In gaming and competitive contexts, meta refers to the most effective tactics available—the dominant strategies that emerge from how a game is actually played rather than how designers intended: What's the current meta for that character? (Capitalized Meta is the technology company.)
Alluding to itself
- recursiveDefined in terms of itself
- reflexiveDirected back at subject
- ironicExpressing contrary meaning
- knowingPossessing awareness or insight
winking · postmodern · satirical · tongue-in-cheek · self-conscious · in-joke · lampshading · nested
Strategy beyond stated rules
- strategyPlanned approach to goals
- competitiveDriven by rivalry
- optimalMost desirable outcome
- loadoutSelected equipment configuration
build · composition · ranked · matchup · broken · overpowered · nerf · buff
Vocabulary describing linguistic structure
- metagameStrategy beyond stated rules
- metaethicsPhilosophy examining moral foundations
- metaprogrammingCode that generates code
- metatheoryTheory about theories
Of or relating to ideas
- theoreticalBased on hypothesis, untested
- higher-orderAbove the primary level
- overarchingEncompassing all elements
- transcendentExceeding usual boundaries
foundational · underlying · encompassing · systematic · structural · framework · schematic · architectural
Broad general summary
- summaryCondensed account of essentials
- synthesisCombining parts into whole
- aggregationCombined collection of items
- surveySystematic data collection
review · compilation · systematic · comprehensive · pooled · combined · comparative · integrative
self-referential
Alluding to itself
- recursiveDefined in terms of itself
- reflexiveDirected back at subject
- ironicExpressing contrary meaning
knowing · winking · postmodern · satirical · tongue-in-cheek · self-conscious · in-joke · lampshading · nested · layered
metagame
Strategy beyond stated rules
- strategyPlanned approach to goals
- competitiveDriven by rivalry
- optimalMost desirable outcome
loadout · build · composition · ranked · matchup · broken · overpowered · nerf · buff
metalanguage
Vocabulary describing linguistic structure
- metagameStrategy beyond stated rules
- metaethicsPhilosophy examining moral foundations
- metaprogrammingCode that generates code
conceptual
Of or relating to ideas
- theoreticalBased on hypothesis, untested
- higher-orderAbove the primary level
- overarchingEncompassing all elements
transcendent · foundational · underlying · encompassing · systematic · structural · framework · schematic · architectural · categorical
overview
Broad general summary
- summaryCondensed account of essentials
- synthesisCombining parts into whole
- aggregationCombined collection of items
survey · review · compilation · systematic · comprehensive · pooled · combined · comparative · integrative · holistic
metaliteral
Meaning exactly what's said
direct · first-order · primary · ground-level · straightforward
- metastatic cancerMalignancy spread from origin
- meta dataInformation describing other information
- slow metabolismInefficient energy conversion rate
- high metabolismAccelerated bodily energy conversion
- metabolic disordersImpaired biochemical processes in cells
- fast metabolismRapid bodily energy processing
metaphor, metallic, metamorphosis, metaphysical, metaphorical, metabolism, metamorphose, metaphysics, metadata