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autism

n.
US //ˈɔˌtɪzəm// UK //ˈɔːtɪzəm// autism
  1. 1 neurological condition (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Medicine

    a lifelong condition that affects how your brain processes information and how you interact with other people.

    a neurodevelopmental condition typically characterized by atypical social communication, repetitive behaviors, and sensory sensitivities.

    Example

    Many people with autism have unique strengths, such as a great memory for details.

    Example

    The school implemented new sensory-friendly classrooms to better support students on the autism spectrum who find loud environments overwhelming.

    Usage

    Usually uncountable; often used in the phrase 'on the autism spectrum'.

    Teacher's tip

    Modern usage prefers identity-first language ('autistic person') or person-first language ('person with autism') depending on the individual's preference.
    • autism spectrum disorder
    • neurodivergence
    • neurotypicality
Origin

Borrowed from German Autismus, coined by Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler, first usage dated to 1907 attributed by Carl Jung as an alternative of his for "auto-erotism", although Bleuler himself differentiates the terms in his book Dementia Praecox, first published 1911. From Ancient Greek αὐτός (autós, “self”) + -ισμός (-ismós, “-ism”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

Last updated June 20, 2026