autodidactic

American  

[aw-toh-dahy-dak-tik] / ˌɔ toʊ daɪˈdæk tɪk /

adjective

1. relating to or being a person who learns or has learned a subject without the benefit of a teacher or formal education; self-taught.

   I am self-motivated, self-sufficient, and autodidactic—all products of a childhood on an Alaskan homestead.

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Other Word Forms

• autodidactically adverb

Etymology

Origin of autodidactic

autodidact ( def. ) + -ic

Example Sentences

A self-assured, autodidactic singer, songwriter, producer and engineer, Tems has a rare combination of curiosity about every moving part in her music and the charisma to bring it to the world onstage.

From Los Angeles Times

But the autodidactic nature of their businesses does not necessarily mean lower price points.

From New York Times

His is the classic story of the driven, autodidactic collector who becomes an expert and a scholar in his own right.

From New York Times

The most crackling, fateful encounter in that popcorn machine of future legend was with an enigma named Elaine May, an autodidactic rebel who arrived on campus like a dust devil.

From New York Times

He seldom raised his voice — which was surprisingly patrician — and rarely cut short his autodidactic monologues.

From Washington Post