Self-referential

Pronunciation: /ˈsɛɫf- ˈɹəfɝˈɛnˈtiˈæɫ/

Self-referential (adj)

  1. Describes something that talks about itself, its own meaning, or its own role.
  2. Used for a message or work that includes information about itself rather than only outside facts.
  3. In a system or model, describes a process that uses its own output as part of what it calculates next.

Examples

  • The book has a self-referential chapter about its own story.
  • In the email, the subject line is self-referential and mentions itself.

Self-referential (adjective)

Examples

  • The joke is self-referential, because it refers to itself.
  • This rule is self-referential, since it refers to itself.