metalinguistic

[ met-uh-ling-gwis-tik ]

adjective

1. of or relating to metalinguistics or a metalanguage.

Other Words From

• meta·lin·guisti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of metalinguistic¹

First recorded in 1940–45; meta- + linguistic

Example Sentences

She’s also gesturing with her hands, using adjectives and making eye contact - all “metalinguistic” things that women tend to do when they communicate.

From Washington Times

It prepares students for learning a foreign language, when metalinguistic thinking will be useful.

From Economist