Word
autonomously
Phoneticsau·tonomous·ly
US/ˌɔˈtɑnoʊməsɫi/
UK/ɔːtˈɒnəməsli/
Adverb of manner
Definition
adv. on your own, without help or control from other people. You use it when a person, group, or machine makes its own choices and acts by itself.
adv. in a self-governing or independent way, without outside control or direction. Often describes machines, teams, or institutions operating under their own rules or programming.
Examples
“She works autonomously without daily supervision.”
“The delivery drones fly autonomously across the city, avoiding buildings and landing safely on balconies.”
“Modern telescopes track distant galaxies autonomously through the night, adjusting for atmospheric distortion while astronomers sleep.”
Examples
simple
“She works autonomously without daily supervision.”
contextual
“The delivery drones fly autonomously across the city, avoiding buildings and landing safely on balconies.”
complex
“Modern telescopes track distant galaxies autonomously through the night, adjusting for atmospheric distortion while astronomers sleep.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “autonomously” in context.
Verb
01. act autonomously
“Students are encouraged to act autonomously in their research projects.”
verb + adv
02. autonomously decide
“The system can autonomously decide when to apply the brakes.”
adv + verb
03. autonomously learn
“The software can autonomously learn from user behaviour.”
adv + verb
04. autonomously navigate
“The rover can autonomously navigate across rocky terrain.”
adv + verb
05. autonomously regulate
“Smart grids can autonomously regulate energy distribution.”
adv + verb
06. fly autonomously
“The helicopter can fly autonomously in poor weather conditions.”
verb + adv
07. function autonomously
“The unit can function autonomously if communication is lost.”
verb + adv
Adjective
08. autonomously driven
“Autonomously driven trucks are now being tested on major highways.”
adv + adj
09. autonomously guided
“The autonomously guided drone completed its surveillance mission.”
adv + adj
10. function autonomously without supervision
“The outpost is designed to function autonomously without supervision.”
11. learn autonomously from experience
“Advanced models can learn autonomously from experience.”
12. make decisions autonomously
“Managers want teams that can make decisions autonomously.”
Usage
Manner adverb — typically placed after the verb or at the end of the clause.
Real-World Examples
“Many spaceflight experiments must either operate autonomously or be conducted by astronauts responsible for a wide range of investigations.” “Antigravity can autonomously download all the Android developer tools it needs and builds APKs ready for installation on your device.” Etymology
From autonomous + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/autonomously