meme: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very highInformal, internet, social media, academic (in specific contexts)
Quick answer
What does “meme” mean?
A unit of cultural information, such as an idea, behaviour, or style, that is spread by imitation from person to person within a culture.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A unit of cultural information, such as an idea, behaviour, or style, that is spread by imitation from person to person within a culture.
An image, video, piece of text, etc., typically humorous or stylistic, that is copied and spread rapidly by internet users, often with slight variations.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling and pronunciation are identical. Cultural references within memes will often differ (e.g., UK vs. US politics, TV shows).
Connotations
Identical in both dialects.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both British and American English due to the global nature of internet culture.
Grammar
How to Use “meme” in a Sentence
[Subject] creates a meme about [topic].That [image/video/phrase] became a meme.The meme spread/gained traction on [platform].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “meme” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The phrase was quickly memed across UK Twitter.
- They memed the Prime Minister's awkward photo.
American English
- That clip was memed all over TikTok.
- Internet users love to meme celebrity fails.
adverb
British English
- (Rarely used) He spoke meme-ishly, full of internet references.
American English
- (Rarely used) The campaign was meme-ably cringeworthy.
adjective
British English
- It had a very meme-like quality.
- He's a bit of a meme candidate in this election.
American English
- The meme potential of that video is huge.
- Her reaction became a meme template.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in marketing and social media strategy (e.g., 'leveraging memes for brand engagement').
Academic
Used in cultural studies, media studies, and sociology, often referencing Dawkins's original theory.
Everyday
Dominant usage: referring to humorous or relatable digital content shared online.
Technical
Used in information theory and internet culture analysis; also in biology for the Dawkins concept.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “meme”
- Pronouncing it as 'mehm' or 'mem-ee'. Correct: 'meem'.
- Using it to mean any funny picture, rather than a replicating template with variations.
- Confusing the biological/cultural theory term with the internet slang in academic writing.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is accepted in formal academic writing when discussing cultural theory (Dawkins) or media studies. In general prose, it remains informal, associated with internet culture.
It is pronounced 'meem' (rhymes with 'dream'), not 'meh-meh' or 'mem'. This is consistent in both British and American English.
Yes, informally. To 'meme' something means to turn it into or disseminate it as a meme (e.g., 'They memed the election result').
A viral video is a single piece of content that spreads widely. A meme is a pattern or template (like an image macro with specific text) that is copied and adapted by many people, creating many related but distinct instances.
A unit of cultural information, such as an idea, behaviour, or style, that is spread by imitation from person to person within a culture.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “'meme magic' (humorous belief in the real-world influence of memes)”
- “'dead meme' (a meme no longer considered funny or relevant)”
- “'meme stock' (a stock driven by online hype, not fundamentals)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'meme' rhyming with 'dream' — it's an idea that spreads like a dream through a culture or the internet.
Conceptual Metaphor
IDEAS ARE VIRUSES / CULTURE IS A PETRI DISH. A meme is treated as a replicating unit that 'infects' minds and 'spreads' through a population.
Practice
Quiz
Which field originally coined the term 'meme'?