Word
metadata
Definitions
01data about data
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Computing Technical
n. information that describes other data, helping you understand what it is or where it came from.
n. data that provides information about other data, serving as an informative label for identification or discovery.
“The library uses metadata to help people find books by their author or subject.”
“Effective metadata management is essential for large-scale digital archives to ensure that assets remain searchable across different platforms and decades.”
Usage
Usually treated as an uncountable noun in general contexts, though 'metadatum' exists as a rare singular form.
Synonyms
02file properties
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Computing Technical
n. hidden information inside a digital file, like the date it was created or the type of camera used.
n. structured information embedded within or associated with a file, such as timestamps, authorship, and technical specifications.
“When you upload a photo, the metadata often shows exactly where you took it.”
“Privacy advocates warn that metadata attached to document files can inadvertently leak sensitive information about a company's internal network structure.”
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“Most biodiversity recording relies on volunteers and local teams, which, although invaluable, results in uneven and delayed data that often lack metadata.” “This finding was based on a citation analysis of large sets of metadata concerning scientific papers and patents.” “Both images generated by Nano Banana Pro include the SynthID watermark, and no amount of metadata editing can hide it.” Etymology
Formed from the Greek prefix meta-, meaning beyond or transcending, and the Latin plural noun data. The term was coined in 1969 by Jack E. Myers.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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