Full Idea
A semantic theory assigns semantic values (meanings) to particular expressions of the language. In contrast, a metasemantic theory explains why expressions have those semantic values, appealing to facts about speakers and communities.
Gist of Idea
Semantic theory assigns meanings to expressions, and metasemantics explains how this works
Source
Laura Schroeter (Two-Dimensional Semantics [2010], 3.4)
Book Reference
'Stanford Online Encyclopaedia of Philosophy', ed/tr. Stanford University [plato.stanford.edu], p.42
A Reaction
Presumably some people only want the metasemantic version. I assume that the two are entangled, but I would vote for both.