Autonomy
/ɔːˈtɒnəmi/
nounIntermediateCommonGeneral
Meaning
Question
Definitions
1
The right or condition of self-governance; freedom from external control or influence.
/ɔːˈtɒnəmi/
nounneutralIntermediate
General
Self-governance
The school encouraged student autonomy in their learning.
💡 Simply: Being in charge of yourself and your own decisions.
More Examples
2
The country fought for its autonomy from colonial rule.
How It's Used
Politics
"The region declared its autonomy from the central government."
Psychology
"Children need autonomy to develop a sense of self."
From Late Latin autonomia, from Greek autonomíā, from autónomos "self-governing," from autos "self" + nómos "law."
The word has been used since the 17th century, predominantly in political and philosophical contexts.
Memory tip
Auto (self) + nomy (law/rule) - self-rule
Practice
Base: autonomous
autonamyautomonyauotonomy
Usage
30%Spoken
70%Written