noun
Common
autonomy
aw-TON-uh-mee
Autonomy (noun) means the freedom to govern or manage oneself independently, without control from others. Example: “She enjoys the autonomy of choosing her own working hours.”
noun
1
The freedom to govern or manage oneself independently, without control from others.
"She enjoys the autonomy of choosing her own working hours."
"The province was granted autonomy over its own education system."
"Teenagers often push for more autonomy from their parents."
How to use autonomy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSelf-rule — the power to make your own decisions instead of being controlled by someone else.
Common pairings
grant autonomy
personal autonomy
a degree of autonomy
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Word forms
- Plural
- autonomies
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She enjoys the _____ of choosing her own working hours.
Etymology
Borrowed from Greek autonomía, "independence," built from autónomos, "living under one's own laws."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for autonomy
roomy
gloomy
sodomy
economy
anatomy
taxonomy
antinomy
autotomy
lobotomy
dichotomy
astronomy
colostomy
See all rhymes for autonomy →
Frequently asked questions
What does “autonomy” mean?
The word “autonomy” means the freedom to govern or manage oneself independently, without control from others. In plain terms, self-rule — the power to make your own decisions instead of being controlled by someone else.
How do you pronounce “autonomy”?
“Autonomy” is pronounced aw-TON-uh-mee (/ɔˈtɑ.nə.mi/ in IPA).
How do you use “autonomy” in a sentence?
Here is “autonomy” used in a sentence: “The province was granted autonomy over its own education system.”
What part of speech is “autonomy”?
“Autonomy” is a noun.
Where does the word “autonomy” come from?
The word “autonomy” comes from Greek. Borrowed from Greek autonomía, "independence," built from autónomos, "living under one's own laws.".
Is “autonomy” a common word?
“Autonomy” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between autonomy and independence?
'Autonomy' is the freedom to govern or manage oneself, often within a larger system, while 'independence' usually means being fully separate and self-reliant. A region can have autonomy while still belonging to a country, whereas independence implies complete self-rule.
What is the difference between autonomy and freedom?
'Freedom' is a broad term for the absence of restriction, while 'autonomy' specifically means the capacity to make one's own decisions and govern oneself. Autonomy is a particular kind of freedom focused on self-direction and control.
What is the difference between autonomy and sovereignty?
'Autonomy' is the freedom to manage one's own affairs, often granted within a larger authority, while 'sovereignty' is supreme, independent authority over a territory. A province may have autonomy, but a fully sovereign state answers to no higher power.
What preposition is used with autonomy?
'Autonomy' is often followed by 'from' to show what one is independent of, as in 'autonomy from central government,' or 'over' to show what one controls, as in 'autonomy over local decisions.' 'Greater autonomy' is a very common collocation.
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