meta

Referring to itself, or dealing with the rules or structure behind something.

• That joke is very meta.
• The film's meta scenes show actors discussing the film itself.
• Her essay offers a meta analysis of how critics write.

Similar words: self-referential

Common phrases: meta joke, meta commentary, very meta

Especially effective and widely used by players in competitive games at the present time.

• This weapon is currently meta.
• Most ranked players choose meta characters.
• That build stopped being meta after the latest update.

Common phrases: meta character, meta weapon, meta build

A way of doing something that a community widely uses, although it is not an official rule.

• Short videos are the current meta.
• Creators follow the meta to attract more viewers.
• The community's meta changed when longer posts became popular.

Similar words: accepted practice, unofficial standard

Common phrases: current meta, follow the meta, change the meta

A stone or other object placed to show the edge of a piece of land.

• A stone meta marked the boundary.
• The inscription on the meta identified the landowner.
• Archaeologists found a meta beside the ancient field.

Similar words: boundary marker, boundary stone

Common phrases: stone meta, ancient meta, boundary meta