adj
Uncommon
autistic
aw-TIHS-tihk
Autistic (adj) means having autism, a developmental condition affecting communication, social interaction, and behaviour. Example: “Their son was diagnosed as autistic at age three.”
adj
1
Having autism, a developmental condition affecting communication, social interaction, and behaviour.
"Their son was diagnosed as autistic at age three."
noun
1
A person who has autism.
"The support group is run by and for autistics."
"After reading this book, medical professionals should be able to develop an understanding of some of the challenges that autistics are experiencing during the COVID-19 pandemic."
— Matthew Bennett, Emma Goodall (2022)
How to use autistic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRelating to autism, or a person who has it.
When to use it
The clinical sense is neutral and widely used; a slang sense meaning "socially awkward" or "obsessive" exists online but is considered offensive and best avoided.
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Word forms
- Plural
- autistics
- Comparative
- more autistic
- Superlative
- most autistic
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Their son was diagnosed as _____ at age three.
Etymology
From autism plus the adjective-forming suffix -istic. The clinical sense was first used in 1913 and refined by psychiatrist Leo Kanner in 1943.
Class of 1913
autistic joined the language around 1913.
See the full Class of 1913 →
Antonyms
allistic
Rhymes for autistic
holistic
sadistic
artistic
logistic
heuristic
statistic
realistic
ballistic
hedonistic
linguistic
futuristic
optimistic
See all rhymes for autistic →
Frequently asked questions
What does “autistic” mean?
The word “autistic” means having autism, a developmental condition affecting communication, social interaction, and behaviour. In plain terms, relating to autism, or a person who has it.
How do you pronounce “autistic”?
“Autistic” is pronounced aw-TIHS-tihk (/ɔˈtɪs.tɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “autistic” in a sentence?
Here is “autistic” used in a sentence: “Their son was diagnosed as autistic at age three.”
What is the opposite of “autistic”?
The opposite of “autistic” — its antonyms — is allistic.
What part of speech is “autistic”?
Depending on how it is used, “autistic” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “autistic” come from?
The word “autistic” dates back to around 1913. From autism plus the adjective-forming suffix -istic. The clinical sense was first used in 1913 and refined by psychiatrist Leo Kanner in 1943.
Is “autistic” a common word?
“Autistic” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “autistic” have?
“Autistic” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: having autism, a developmental condition affecting communication, social interaction, and behaviour.
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