Word
autonomy
Phoneticsau·ton·o·my, stress on the second syllable
US/əˈtɑnəmi/
UK/ɔːtˈɒnəmi/
Definitions
01personal independence
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Academic
n. the power to make your own choices and control your own life.
n. the capacity of an individual to make informed, uncoerced decisions regarding their own actions and goals.
日本語:自律※
“Teachers often try to give their students more autonomy to choose their own projects.”
“Modern medical ethics emphasizes patient autonomy, ensuring that individuals have the right to refuse treatment even if it contradicts a doctor's recommendation.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
02political self-rule
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Law Formal
n. the right of a country or a specific region to govern itself.
n. the right or condition of self-government for a political entity or geographic region within a larger state.
日本語:自治※
“The region was granted autonomy after years of protesting for the right to make its own laws.”
“The central government negotiated a treaty that granted the province significant fiscal autonomy while maintaining control over national defense and foreign policy.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
03technical independence
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Computing Technical
n. the ability of a machine or computer to operate without a human telling it what to do.
n. the capacity of a system or robot to perform tasks and make decisions without external intervention or human control.
日本語:自律※
“Engineers are working to improve the autonomy of self-driving cars in heavy traffic.”
“The deep-sea probe was designed with a high degree of autonomy, allowing it to navigate treacherous underwater canyons without a real-time link to the surface ship.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “autonomy” in context.
Verb
01. promote autonomy
“Modern educators aim to promote autonomy by allowing students to choose their own research topics.”
verb + noun
Real-World Examples
“On the other side, morality is supposed to protect people’s personal autonomy and freedom, even when others in their community dislike or disagree with their choices.” “Toddlers are developing autonomy and a growing sense of self.” “As a result the women have less autonomy, which leaves them exposed.” Etymology
Borrowed from Ancient Greek αὐτονομῐ́ᾱ (autonomĭ́ā, “freedom to use its own laws, independence”), from αὐτόνομος (autónomos, “living under one's own laws, independent”) + -ῐ́ᾱ (-ĭ́ā, “-y, -ia”, nominal suffix). By surface analysis, auto- (“self”) + -nomy (“a system of rules or laws about a particular field”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domains
- 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
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/autonomy
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0