CultureAugust 28, 2026

metafictional

met-uh-FIK-shuh-nul

Definition

Describing a creative work that consciously draws attention to its own status as a piece of fiction or a made-up story.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek 'meta-' meaning 'beyond' or 'about' combined with 'fictional', referring to a story that comments on the process of writing fiction itself.

In the news

The article uses 'metafictional' to describe how The Princess Bride highlights its own nature as a fairy tale through a self-conscious storytelling approach.

The 10 Most Exciting Fantasy Movies of All Time, Ranked

Read the full article ↗

Comic Book Resources

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