What does "autonomous" mean?

1. (independent person) acting or thinking independently without needing help or control from others. 2. (self-operating technology) describes a machine or system, like a car, that can operate without a human driver. 3. (linguistic subjectless form) a special way of using a verb where the person doing the action is not named.

How do you use "autonomous"?

Frequently used in philosophy and psychology to discuss human agency. Often modifies nouns like 'vehicle', 'drone', or 'system'. Specific to Celtic linguistics and certain grammatical frameworks.

autonomous

adj.

US //ɔˈtɑnəməs// UK //ɔːtˈɒnəməs// au·ton·o·mous

1 independent person (adj.)
C1 Advanced Academic

acting or thinking independently without needing help or control from others.

acting independently or having the freedom to do so; capable of making informed, uncoerced decisions.

Example

The university aims to help students become autonomous learners who can study on their own.

Example

The curriculum is designed to foster autonomous thinking, encouraging students to challenge established dogmas through rigorous independent research.

Usage

Frequently used in philosophy and psychology to discuss human agency.
- self reliant
- free
- subservient
- controlled
2 self-operating technology (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Computing

describes a machine or system, like a car, that can operate without a human driver.

relating to a device or vehicle capable of sensing its environment and operating without human involvement.

Example

Many companies are testing autonomous cars that can drive safely through city traffic.

Example

The deployment of autonomous underwater vehicles has revolutionised deep-sea exploration by allowing for extended missions without the need for a support vessel.

Usage

Often modifies nouns like 'vehicle', 'drone', or 'system'.
- automated
- robotic
- manual

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3 linguistic subjectless form (adj.)
C2 Proficiency Technical Academic Technical

a special way of using a verb where the person doing the action is not named.

referring to a verb form that indicates an unspecified agent, functionally similar to the passive voice but maintaining the theme as an object.

Example

In some languages, an autonomous verb form is used to say that something happened without saying who did it.

Example

The Irish autonomous form allows the speaker to focus on the action itself while leaving the agent entirely unspecified, distinct from the standard passive construction.

Usage

Specific to Celtic linguistics and certain grammatical frameworks.
- impersonal

Origin

From autonomy + -ous.