Metafunctions refer to the different roles that language can play in communication. In linguistics, particularly in the context of Systemic Functional Linguistics, metafunctions are categorized into three main types: the ideational, interpersonal, and textual metafunctions. The ideational metafunction conveys information and ideas, the interpersonal metafunction expresses social relationships and attitudes, and the textual metafunction organizes the flow of information in discourse. These metafunctions work together to create meaning in language. For example, when someone tells a story, they use the ideational metafunction to share events, the interpersonal metafunction to engage the audience, and the textual metafunction to structure the narrative effectively. Understanding these roles helps in analyzing how language functions in various contexts.