Meme Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/miːm/

Part of Speech

Noun, Verb

Definition

A meme is an idea, behavior, or style that is transmitted from person to person within a culture, often for humorous or ironic purposes. It can take the form of a catchphrase, image, video, or piece of text that is copied and spread rapidly online, often with modifications or variations.

Examples

1. “Distracted Boyfriend” is a meme about a man being distracted by a woman while walking beside his girlfriend.

2. “Grumpy Cat” is a meme featuring a cat with a permanent scowl, often used to express displeasure or annoyance.

3. “I can smell the desperation SDK” is a meme about a person’s attempt to get a date, often used to express irony or sarcasm.

Synonyms

1. Viral content

2. Prank

3. Trend

Antonyms

1. Boring content

2. Serious behavior

Additional Information

A meme can be thought of as an image, piece of text, or variety of other electronic forms of expression, which are copied or modified and spread rapidly online, often to convey information, express an opinion, or entertain others. Meme culture is a significant aspect of online communities, with memes often originating on social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, and Reddit. Meme creation can be a form of artistic expression, with memes often using humor, satire, or irony to comment on current events or share a particular perspective. Memes can be created by individual users or by celebrities, and they often go viral due to their ability to be copied, shared, and modified quickly and easily online. The term “meme” was originally coined by evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins in his 1976 book “The Selfish Gene,” where he used it to describe how ideas or behaviors could be transmitted and adapted in a manner similar to the process of gene transmission in living organisms. Today, the term has taken on a broader meaning to encompass the cultural and technological context of online communications. Memes have become a significant part of modern internet culture, often providing a window into the interests, concerns, and values of online communities. As a result, memes have become a valuable tool for businesses, advertisers, and public figures to connect with their audiences and reach a wider public. Despite their ephemeral nature, memes can still have lasting impacts on popular culture, influencing everything from music and art to politics and social norms. They can also serve as a form of folk history, allowing individuals to document and relive shared experiences and cultural touchstones. The rapid pace of meme creation and dissemination has led to concerns about the spread of misinformation, the blurring of reality and fantasy, and the potential for memes to be used as a form of propaganda or manipulation. However, memes also have the power to bring people together, foster creativity and self-expression, and provide a platform for marginalized voices to be heard. As a result, memes continue to be a vital and evolving aspect of online culture, reflecting the ever-changing nature of human communication and the internet itself.