Autonomous
/ɔːˈtɒnəməs/
adjectiveIntermediateCommonGeneral
Meaning
Questions
Definitions
1
Having the right or power of self-government; independent.
/ɔːˈtɒnəməs/
adjectiveneutralIntermediate
General
Having self-government, independent
The university is largely autonomous in its academic affairs.
💡 Simply: Able to govern itself.
More Examples
2
Self-driving cars are an example of autonomous technology.
How It's Used
Politics
"The region declared itself an autonomous republic."
Technology
"The car uses an autonomous driving system."
From late Middle English: via Old French from late Latin autonomus, from Greek autonomos ‘having one's own laws’, from autos ‘self’ + nomos ‘law’.
The word has gained prominence with the rise of technology and self-governing systems.
Memory tip
Think 'auto' (self) and 'nomos' (law) - self-governing by its own laws.
Practice
Base: autonomy
autonomusauthonomousautomonous
Usage
20%Spoken
80%Written