metanarrative

/ ˈmɛtəˌnærətɪv /

noun

1. (in postmodernist literary theory) a narrative about a narrative or narratives

Word History and Origins

Origin of metanarrative¹

C20: from meta- + narrative

Example Sentences

Murphy’s work always tries to tease out a metanarrative about the American condition, whether the topic celebrates fame and glamor or indictment of our failings and excesses.

From Salon

Eilish has both the time-honored musicianship that awards shows admire and the metanarrative savvy of her digital-era generation.

From New York Times

But what about Dua Lipa, who has loads of hits but maybe no metanarrative?

From New York Times

Here, Cage takes that to the nth degree in a metanarrative that syncs his fandom’s Cage-related obsessions with his own reflections on stardom.

From New York Times

It’s not fan service like Taylor Swift’s Easter eggs, but it reflects an understanding that for many listeners, and perhaps especially for those who may not bother to listen at all, the metanarrative matters.

From New York Times