self-referential
ˌsɛlfrɪˈfɛrənʃəl
Definition Synonyms

Definition of self-referential - Reverso English Dictionary

Adjective

1.
logicTECH.referring to itself or its own characteristicsTECH.
  • The novel is self-referential, discussing its own narrative.
self-referent
2.
art and mediaTECH.concerned with its own composition or similar worksTECH.
  • The film is self-referential, exploring its own filmmaking process.
autotelic introspective
Add a suggestion |

Origin of self-referential

Latin, referre (to carry back)

Terms with self-referential included in their meaning

💡 A powerful way to uncover related words, idioms, and expressions linked by the same idea — and explore meaning beyond exact word matches.
metaadj.
self-reference
self-referential or about itself
argument
self-referential and preventing understanding
self-referential
definition that refers to itself or its own type to define itself
self reference
state of being reflexive or self-referential

Examples of self-referential in a sentence

  • His speech was self-referential, often mentioning his previous works.
  • The novel's self-referential style intrigued literary critics.
  • Her artwork is self-referential, reflecting on her previous pieces.

View all translations of self-referential

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:autoréférentiel, ...
  2. German:selbstreferenziell, ...
  3. Italian:autoriferito, autoreferenziale, ...
  4. Spanish:autorreferencial, ...
  5. Portuguese:autorreferencial, ...
  6. Chinese:自指的, 自我反思的, ...
  7. Japanese:自己言及的な, 自分自身に言及する, ...
  8. Arabic:ذاتي الإشارة, ...
  9. Hebrew:מִתְיַחֵס לְעַצְמָם, מִתְיַחֵס לְעַצְמוֹ, ...
  10. Russian:самореференциальный, ...
  11. Ukrainian:самореференційний, самовідносний, ...
  12. Hindi:स्वयं-संदर्भित, आत्मपरक, ...
Browse the dictionary entries starting with “s”:

Discover how Reverso redefines the dictionary

Go beyond “simple words”

Get more than a simple definition

Go from understanding to mastery