self-referential

Definitions

Referring to itself or its own features, such as a statement or work of art that mentions its own nature.

Characterized by a circular quality where a system, text, or expression makes reference to its own structure or content.

Examples

The novel is highly self-referential, frequently breaking the fourth wall to comment on its own narrative structure.

The comedian's routine was filled with self-referential humor that poked fun at his own career struggles.

Synonyms

reflexive recursive autological self-referring meta introspective self-reflective

Antonyms

objective external impersonal extrinsic straightforward unreflective literal